Water control apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to improved water control gates and related inflatable actuators, and associated sealing, manufacture and operation apparatus and methods. Advancements in technologies related to air fitting design, inflated bladder stress relief, inflatable bladder strength enhancement, water gate related slide friction mitigation, abutment and other impounded water seals, gate panel fabrication, traffic accommodating water impoundment structures, and water gate panel system operation efficiency, as well as nappe aeration, hinges, and bladder manufacture technology are disclosed herein.

This application is a continuation application of, and claims thebenefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/971,624,filed Aug. 20, 2013, published on Dec. 26, 2013 as US Publication NumberUS2013/0343821 and issuing on May 12, 2015 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,028,270,which itself is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/012,733, filed Jan. 24, 2011, published on May 19, 2011 as USPublication Number 2011-0116871 A1 and issuing on Aug. 20, 2013 as U.S.Pat. No. 8,511,937, which itself is a continuation application of, andclaims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/335,346, filed Dec. 15, 2008, published on Jul. 16, 2009 as USPublication Number 2009-0180835 A1 which itself is a continuationapplication of, and claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/193,879, filed Jul. 29, 2005, published on Jul.31, 2003 as US Publication US 2006-072969 A1 which itself is acontinuation application of, and claims the benefit of and priority to,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/192,013, filed Jul. 9, 2002,published on Jul. 31, 2003 as US Publication US 2003-0143027 A1, andissued on Oct. 3, 2006 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,114,879, each of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference, said application itselfclaiming benefit of and priority to: U.S. Provisional Application No.60/304,263 filed Jul. 29, 2001; U.S. Provisional Application No.60/329,090 filed Oct. 13, 2001; United States Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/334,870 filed Oct. 18, 2001; U.S. Provisional Application No.60/343,834 filed Oct. 19, 2001; and U.S. Provisional Application No.60/379,401 filed May 9, 2002, each of said applications herebyincorporated herein by reference.

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to water control gates and inflatable damsfor control of water for use in conjunction with, but not limited to,dam spillways, hydroelectric projects, flood control structures, riverdiversions, irrigation canal check structures, roadway water barriers,levee crossings, parking garage water barriers, to inflatable actuatorstherefore, to inflatable actuators in general, to reinforced elastomerichinges therefore, and to inflatable articles in general such asactuators for machines such as presses, dunnage bags, inflatable jacks,collapsible hoses and the like. The inflatable actuators hereindisclosed may have many other applications, particularly where low cost,long life and reliability are important.

2. Description of Related Art

Various attempts have been made to develop economical water controlgates. In many instances, the most economic water control gates are airactuated bottom hinged gates and inflatable dams. As but one advantage,the position of a plurality of water control gates can be infinitelyadjusted by adjustment of the inflatable actuator pressures. Variouspatents relating to air-actuated bottom hinged gates and relating toinflatable dams are attached to this application and are herebyincorporated by reference. Various other materials relating to what maybe prior art are also attached and are also hereby incorporated byreference. Hydraulically or mechanically operated gates are generallymore expensive than the aforementioned air operated gates and inflatabledams, particularly if the cost of construction of required associatedpiers, equipment platforms, service cranes and bridges is accounted for.The limitations heretofore of inflatable dams have included highstresses at the downstream fold. In the case of inflatable damsmanufactured from a single flat sheet, these stresses in the elastomericmaterial may occur with the inflatable dam in the inflatedconfiguration. Failure may result due to a combination of tensilestresses in the outermost layers due to bending of the dam body inconjunction with flow induced vibration associated with a roundedflexible surface from which flow may separate in an oscillatory manner.In the case of inflatable dams manufactured as a folded sheet, hightensile stresses may result in both the elastomeric inner-liner and inthe inner most plies of reinforcing fabric when the dam is inflated.These high stresses in the reinforcing fabric may dictate that a highelongation fiber such as nylon be used even though nylon may haveinferior long term water resistance compared to polyester, for example.The high stresses may generally lower the factor of safety or increasethe overall cost of such an inflatable dam. Furthermore, even ifreinforcement failure is avoided, high tensile stresses in theelastomeric inner-liner may result in cracking which may cause airleakage into the fiber reinforcement. This fiber reinforcement may beexposed at other locations resulting in gradual but undesirable air lossfrom the inflatable dam. Furthermore, inter-ply pressures may beincreased, which may result in long-term oxygen degradation of the dambody and the susceptibility of the outer cover to blistering.

The limitations heretofore of bottom hinged air actuated gates have beenthe requirement for custom field fitting of seals, the requirement forheating of abutment plates during icing conditions, and the somewhathigher cost, relative to benefits, of gates for low damming heights suchas 2 meters or less. Specifically, with respect to gates for low dammingheights such as 2 meters or less, the designs of the prior art havegenerally fallen into two categories. In the first category are designssuch as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,707 to Obermeyer, U.S.Pat. No. 5,538,360 to Obermeyer, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,699 toObermeyer et al. The designs of this first category call for a secondaryvulcanization process for joining of the seam under the clamp bar.Secondary vulcanization processes (an additional, second vulcanizingprocess) may entail extra expense and may result in joints, which areless reliable than those created using a single stage vulcanization(merely one vulcanizing process) used in accordance with at least oneembodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, said secondaryvulcanization process can, at best, provide an elastomeric seal underthe clamp bar. Continuity of circumferential reinforcement around theinflatable portion of the air bladder may not be accomplished by simplybonding and sealing the clamped joint in a secondary vulcanization step.Although the use of a wedge type clamping system as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,709,502 to Obermeyer eliminates the requirement for avulcanized joint under the clamp system, the clamp system itself maybecome relatively expensive as damming heights become lower.

A disadvantage common to both inflatable dams with clamped unvulcanizedjoints and to air actuated bottom hinged gates with vulcanized joints isthe phenomenon of creep of the elastomer compressed under the clampsystem. Proper functioning of each system may generally rely onsufficient compressive stress under the clamp to prevent air leakage.The higher the compressive stress, the higher the associated shearstress becomes which, in turn, may lead to increased creep rates. Thus,the more securely such a clamp is tightened, the more often it mayrequire re-tightening. Proper maintenance requires a careful balancebetween insufficient tightening which may result in leakage or systemfailure and excessive tightening which may lead to high rates of creepand also to system failure.

Conventional inflatable dams may also be subject to vibration duringover-topping conditions. Attempts have been made to aerate a nappe,leaving a fin by varying the dimensions of the fin or by providingdiscrete fins. Even with these mitigative measures, vibration may stillbe a problem under certain flow conditions.

Additionally, the air fittings most commonly used in conjunction withair actuated bottom hinged gates and inflatable dams of the prior artmay require protection during installation and may includesharp-machined edges. These sharp edges of these air fittings may damageor even penetrate adjacent air bladders if several air bladders arestacked for shipment or if such a fitting were to be installed prior torolling up a long inflatable dam.

Additionally, air actuated bottom hinged gates and inflatable dams ofexisting systems may generally not be well suited for vehicle orpedestrian traffic when in the lowered or deflated position.Conventional bottom hinged water control gates may be fitted withirregularly shaped hinges and reinforcing ribs which may not obstructwater flow but may pose a hazard or even a barrier to vehicular orpedestrian traffic.

Conventional bottom hinged water control gates have also incorporatedrestraining straps, which may protrude from beneath the lowered gatepanels. The protrusion of said restraining straps may be hazardous topedestrian traffic. Such protruding restraining straps may be damaged byvehicular traffic. Furthermore, the protrusion of these restrainingstraps may be undesirable in certain water control applications evenwhere traffic is not a design criterion.

Conventional bottom hinged roadway and walkway water barriers have insome cases utilized mechanical hinges, which may be subject to leakageof water and corrosion and in some cases have used mechanical actuators,which may be subject to corrosion. Additionally, such mechanical hingesmay require precise alignment, which may be expensive.

Inflatable articles such as lifting bags (inflatable jacks), dockbumpers, hoses, inflatable dams and spillway gate actuators aretypically manufactured by one of two methods. In the first method aninternal mandrel or tool is used to define an internal surface withrounded edges. This method requires a secondary bonding operation orspecial device to seal the opening through which the mandrel or tool maybe removed. In the second method, the interior is allowed to simply foldflat while the interior surfaces are prevented from bonding by means ofa release film. This results in extreme stress concentrations of theinner liner in the inflated condition and, with multiple layers ofreinforcement, extremely uneven load sharing between the layers ofreinforcement. A third method utilizes three dimensional solublemandrels of eutectic salts, aluminum, paper mache, etc. This type ofsoluble mandrel is expensive, time consuming, and in the case of salt,very fragile.

Conventional spillway and navigation dam gates may be fitted withindividual actuators or, in some instances, may be lifted to raised andlocked positions one by one from a work boat or overhead cable hoist.Lifting the gates from overhead with either a boat or cableway mayrequire dangerous work by highly skilled operators. Individual actuatorsmay be too expensive for some projects. The use of very long spans ofactuated water control gates in lieu of levees has often been costprohibitive with existing systems.

Conventional spillway gates often use nappe breakers to preventvibration under conditions of small amounts of over-topping. Such nappebreakers are generally made of steel and are easily damaged by winterice flows.

II. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of an aspect of this invention to provide a low-costalternative to current water control gates for low damming heights,which is easy to transport and install, and which does not requireheated abutment plates for winter operation. It is another object of anaspect of this invention to provide, in one type of embodiment, a gatesystem which may be driven over or walked upon without undue hazard ordamage to the gate system. It is another object of an aspect of thisinvention to provide a low cost flood control barrier, which may besuitable for spanning long distances.

In accordance with at least one embodiment of this invention, an airbladder is provided which may be inflated, for quality control purposesfor example, without the requirement that this air bladder be secured toa spillway or special test fixture.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, air bladders maycontain plies of reinforcement which are continuous, except for anysplices, around the circumference of said inflated air bladder and whichmay cross the joint connecting the inflated portions of said airbladders to the clamped portions of said air bladders. Said plies ofreinforcement which are continuous may prevent de-lamination of thebonded layers of reinforcement which extend under the clamp bar whilethe air bladder is pressurized and the clamp is either not yet installedor is not clamped tightly. De-lamination, which can occur in someconventional designs, may reduce structural integrity or cause leakage.

According to another aspect of the invention, air bladders may bevulcanized in a single stage vulcanization process and may not requireany secondary vulcanization steps. Such single stage vulcanization mayenhance overall structural integrity and may minimize manufacturingcosts.

According to another aspect of this invention, air bladders may besecured to a dam spillway, for example, with a simple rectangular clampbar. This simple rectangular clamp bar may be less expensive, easier toinstall and require less space than alternative clamping systems. Spaceon existing spillways to which such gate systems may be retrofitted maybe severely restricted.

According to another aspect of this invention, air bladders may beprovided with precisely molded ends to which matching inter-panel sealsand abutment seals may be fitted to create a leak tight assembly withminimal installation time.

According to another aspect of this invention, an integral hinge flapmay be provided which may conform tightly to the downstream face ofaforementioned clamp bar. With such a configuration, the trapping ofsand or gravel between the hinge flap and the clamp bar may be avoided.Sand and gravel trapped between the hinge flap and the clamp bar may,during actuation of a gate system over time, damage the hinge flap orremove corrosion protection from the clamp bar.

According to another aspect of this invention, air bladders may beprovided with air fittings which lack damaging or damageableprotrusions. This may be accomplished with a fitting, which may beentirely contained within the lower membrane of an inflatable airbladder as herein disclosed.

According to another aspect of this invention, air fittings may begenerally disk shaped and may feature a connection such as pipe threadsat a centrally located through-hole.

According to another aspect of this invention, air fittings may featurea tapered profile which may limit undesirable changes in direction ofreinforcing fabric. Excessive changes in direction of reinforcing fabricmay cause delamination of the layers of the reinforcing from each otheror disbonding of the reinforcing from the embedded air fitting.

According to another aspect of this invention, air fittings may featurerounded outer edges, which may prevent the fitting from cuttingaforementioned reinforcing fabric.

According to another aspect of this invention, the radius of the roundedouter edges may be sufficiently small such that the formation of voidsin the elastomer and the direct contact of reinforcing cords with theair fitting may be avoided.

According to another aspect of this invention, the air fittings may bemade of (in part or whole) or coated with a material which bonds to theelastomeric body of said inflatable bladder during vulcanization.

According to another aspect of this invention, said air fittings may bemade of brass.

According to another aspect of this invention, inter-panel seals may beprovided with a bend in cross-section to enhance flexibility ininstallations where the distance between adjoining gate panels varieswith gate actuation angle, such as on a spillway which is curved in planview.

According to another aspect of this invention, interpanel seals may beprovided which may be identical or similar in profile to the clampededge of the associated air bladder. In this manner, the inter-panelseals and air bladder may be simultaneously secured to a dam spillwaywith the same clamp arrangement.

According to another aspect of this invention, abutment seals may beprovided which may be identical or similar in profile to the clampededge of the associated air bladder. In this manner, the abutment sealsand air bladder may be simultaneously secured to a dam spillway with thesame clamp arrangement.

According to another aspect of the present invention, elastomericabutment seals may be provided with a bonded low friction wear surfacesuch as polyethylene or PTFE, for example.

According to another aspect of the invention, a polyethylene wearsurface is co-vulcanized to a reinforced elastomer containing EPDM(ethylene-propoylene-diene-methylene rubber).

According to another aspect of the present invention, a polyethylenewear surface is co-vulcanized to a reinforced elastomer comprised of ablend including EPDM and Chlorobutyl.

According to another aspect of this invention, an abutment plate may beprovided which has low thermal conductivity and low adhesion to ice.

According to yet another aspect of this invention, said abutment platemay be provided with a large number of fasteners and may have arelatively large thickness so as to prevent buckling (including warping)which might otherwise result due to the low modulus and high coefficientof thermal expansion of materials such as polyethylene.

According to another aspect of this invention, the fastener spacing tothickness ratio may be approximately 20 to 1 or less, and is preferablyno greater than 12 to 1 (perhaps 8 to 1). In this manner, buckling ofthe abutment plates when exposed to direct sunlight may be avoided.Buckling is generally undesirable because a leak path may be opened upbehind the abutment plate. This leak path may not entirely re-close dueto creep of the abutment plate material or the lodging of debris.Buckling is also undesirable because it may interfere with free travelof the adjoining gate panel and seal assembly.

According to another aspect of this invention the fasteners may berecessed below the surface of said abutment plates.

According to another aspect of this invention, the fasteners may becovered with a polyethylene plug or auto body filler like material toleave a smooth surface against which a gate abutment seals may travel.

According to another aspect of this invention, a groove may be providedaround the periphery of each of several abutment plate segments so as toallow the placement and retention of sealant.

According to another aspect of this invention, the abutment platematerial may contain a dark pigment such as carbon black to facilitatesolar heating and to block ultraviolet radiation, which could damage apolymer such as polyethylene.

According to another aspect of the invention the abutment plate materialmay be ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene.

According to another aspect of this invention the abutment plate may becomprised of high density polyethylene.

According to another aspect of this invention, the abutment plates mayincorporate reinforcement such as fiberglass which has low thermalconductivity yet may confer stiffness to the abutment plates.

According to another aspect of this invention, a heated seal assembly orother heating means (or, perhaps even, heating element) may be attachedto and movable with a gate panel associated with the aforementioned lowthermal conductivity abutment plate.

According to another aspect of this invention, an inflatable dam may beprovided which, although vulcanized in a folded “deflated” position,features a prescribed finite internal radius along the interior of thedownstream edge. This internal radius may be formed, for example, with aremovable tool, a soluble tool, or with an extruded elastomeric profilewhich may be left in place after manufacture.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the unclampededges of an inflatable article such as an inflatable actuator for awater control gate or the body of a rubber dam may incorporate anelastomeric profile which may be extruded and pre-cured and thensubsequently bonded over a portion of its profile to the interiormarginal edges of the inflatable article. This elastomeric profile maybe “tear drop” shaped and may feature a hole through its center. Thishole may be used to locate the profile during manufacture, or may beused as a crush-resistant air supply manifold. The elastomeric profilemay be bonded to the interior of the inflatable article along one side,while the rounded surface and opposite flat side remain un-bonded. Inthis manner, the article may be inflated without being constrained bythe profile. Furthermore, a desirable as-molded rounded shape isimparted to the interior of the inflatable article, and the need toremove a tool used for the same purpose is eliminated. Portions of saidprofile may be selectively bonded with rubber cement, for example, orselectively caused to not bond by the use of release film or agent, inaccordance with the compounds and methods used for manufacture.

The economics of some projects may prohibit the use of individualactuators for each gate panel. Accordingly, it is an object of an aspectof this invention to provide a water control gate system that mayprovide the safe remote actuation capability of more expensive systemswith individual gate actuators, while retaining the economy of simplemanually operated gates.

It is a further object of an aspect of this invention to provide amethod of construction that may be economical for large scale gates.

It is another object of an aspect of this invention to provide gatepanels that may be adapted to also serve as a roadway, walkway, orrailroad bed surface.

It is another object of an aspect of this invention to provide a watercontrol gate system that may provide for easy and reliable pneumaticactuation yet may also provide a smooth and safe upper surface forvehicular and pedestrian traffic.

It is another object of an aspect of this invention to provide a methodof construction that may be economical for a wide range of gate heights.

It is also an object of an aspect of this invention to provide a gatehinge mechanism that may have a high load rating without the requirementfor precision rotating bearings, which might require time consuming andexpensive field alignment procedures.

It is another object of an aspect of this invention to provide a hingemechanism that may also serve as a seal which may prevent fluids,particles or contaminates from passing through the hinge assembly.

It is another object of an aspect of this invention to provide aflexible barrier, which may protect the hinge mechanism from corrosivefluids or gasses and may protect the hinge mechanism from abrasive ordamaging particles.

It is the further object of an aspect of this invention to provide ahinge that may allow shear loads between the two hinged objects to betransmitted from the flexible cable, cord or fibrous elements to therigid elements by a bonded chemical connection.

It is the further object of an aspect of this invention that said bondedchemical connection provides an elastic connection, which serves toreduce stress concentrations and optimize the ability of the assembly toaccommodate misalignment and absorb dynamic loads without damage. Suchan elastic connection may be manufactured using a vulcanizable elastomersuch as EPDM, butyl rubber, natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber,nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber or blends thereof.

It is the further object of an aspect of this invention to configureflexible and preferably twisted cords, cables or other means so as toresist loads in any direction in the plane normal to the hinge axis andto be able to resist shear loads parallel to the hinge axis, whileproviding little resistance to rotation about the hinge axis within theangular design limits of the hinge.

It is the further object of an aspect of this invention to utilizepre-assembled groups of cords such as strips of unidirectional tire cordfabric, preferable embedded in rubber or other elastomer.

It is the further object of an aspect of this invention to provide anun-bonded zone between the rigid hinge elements and the flexibleelements in the region of rolling contact.

It is the further object of an aspect of this invention to providesmooth rounded edges adjacent the flexible cord elements both in thezone of rolling contact and at the edges where the flexible elementsreverse directions.

It is the further object of an aspect of this invention to providerobust mechanical support to the portion of the rigid elements aroundwhich the flexible elements wrap, preferably by approximately 50% solidmaterial for support and approximately 50% slotted length for wrappingof the reverse bend of said flexible elements.

A still further object of an aspect of this invention is to provide alow friction and low wear robust hinge mechanism which does not requirehard metallic or ceramic surfaces but for which the rigid elements maybe fabricated of light weight fiber reinforced composites such as carbonfiber, aramid fiber, ceramic fibers or glass fibers in a matrix ofepoxy, polyester, etc.

A still further object of an aspect of this invention is to provide thelowered gate panels with mechanical support through transmission ofcompressive bearing loads through the deflated air bladders.

A further object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a smoothupper surface in conjunction with a water control gate so as to preventthe entrapment of sediment, debris or other solids, which could hinderthe free flow of water.

A further object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a smoothsurface, which does not present a danger to recreational water uses suchas raft, kayak, and canoe passage.

A further object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a smoothand safe surface for users of swimming facilities and amusement parkwater features. Such a smooth surface may be molded of vulcanizableelastomers such as EPDM, Butyl rubber, natural rubber, styrene butadienerubber, nitrile rubber, or blends thereof, for example.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a compactenclosed hinge mechanism which requires no sliding surfaces subject tocontamination by abrasives and wear.

Another object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a smoothsurface fixed to the bottom of a concrete gate panel against which theair bladder can slide without excessive wear or friction. Such a smoothsurface may be manufactured from UHMW polyethylene in conjunction withsuitable concrete anchors, for example.

Another object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a smooth lowfriction corner under the upstream edge of the gate panel around whichthe inflated air bladder can slide without excessive friction or wear.Such a corner piece may be manufactured from nylon or UHMW polyethylenerod, for example.

A further embodiment of this invention is an articulated gate mounted bya hinge to a mounting element within a roadway or walkway and actuatedby inflatable actuators located under the articulated panels of saidgate system. The inflatable actuators may be shimmed after installationto transmit compressive loads from the lowered gate panels downward tothe foundation slab. For large scale installations, the gate panels arepreferably constructed in place of reinforced concrete. This eliminatesthe need not only for transport of heavy gate panels to the site, butalso to relocate the completed gate panels after they are manufactured.

Another object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a watercontrol gate system wherein the restraining straps may be locatedbetween the ends of adjacent air bladders and, optionally, between airbladders adjacent abutments and these abutments. This arrangement mayallow the simultaneous use of large low pressure air bladders inconjunction with restraining straps which may be sufficiently short toremain covered and protected by the gate panels when said gate panelsare in a fully lowered position. Large low pressure air bladders may begenerally desirable in that their use generally reduces reaction forcesat the associated hinge assembly, reduces gate panel loading, andreduces loads within said air bladders themselves.

Another object of an aspect of this invention is to provide dummyinserts, made of elastomeric material similar to that from which the airbladders are manufactured, for example, within the clamping system toreplace the air bladders at locations where said air bladders may betruncated to provide clearance space for restraining straps. In somecases, a radius which may be provided in the as-manufactured shape inconjunction with the inflated radius of adjoining air bladders mayprovide sufficient clearance for said restraining straps.

A further object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a floodprotection barrier means (or, perhaps even, flood protection barrierelement) for a railroad which may lie below flood level, such as in thecase of a railway passing through a levee. Specifically this inventionmay allow for rails to be attached to and supported by gate panels whichmay, in turn, be supported through an inflatable actuator by theunderlying foundation.

It is another object of an aspect of this invention to providearticulated segments of rail which can slide over the fixed rails as thegate panel and its rail segments are raised.

A further object of an aspect of this invention is to provide a smoothsurface out of cast-in-place polyurethane, for example, over a gateclamp system which would otherwise not be flat.

A further object of an aspect of this invention is the use of a coverplate to provide a smooth surface over the clearance gap above thehinge, which gap may be necessary for the hinged angular upward motionof the gate. Said cover plate may be fixed with a hinge at one edge andmay be supported at the opposite edge in such a manner that it may slideas the gate is raised and lowered. The preferred arrangement is toprovide a cover plate which may be pivotably mounted to the gate paneland which may be able to slide in an upstream direction over the clamparea as the gate panel is raised.

A still further object of an aspect of this invention is to providesufficiently large gate panels such that seal leakage between individualgate panels may not be a significant problem.

Another object of an aspect of this invention is a movable actuator thatmay be positioned and operated safely from a remote dry location. Asingle actuator may be used to lift, sequentially for example, a largequantity of individual gate panels or segments. After lifting, each gatepanel or segment may be held in the raised position by a restraint suchas an inexpensive mechanical strut, latch or tension member. Theserestraints may be designed to release automatically in response to highupstream levels or increased hydrostatic loads on the gate.

For some flood control applications, the gate panels may preferably beconstructed in place of reinforced concrete, thus eliminating the need,not only for transport to the site, but also possibly eliminating theneed to relocate or lift the gate panels at all once they aremanufactured.

Another object of an aspect of one embodiment of the present inventionis the casting of concrete gate panels so as to incorporate theassociated hinge elements into said gate panels. The expense of hingefasteners and the expense of labor otherwise required for fasteninghinges to finished gate panels may be thus avoided.

Another aspect of the present invention is the provision of flexiblenappe breakers (or aerators) which may resist damage due to ice flows.These flexible nappe breakers may be manufactured from reinforcedelastomers, for example.

A further aspect of the present invention is the provision of verticallyextended inter-panel seals or abutment seals which may also serve asflexible nappe breakers.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Note that the following drawings relate to one or more embodiment onlyand are not in any way to limit the invention, embodiments thereof,claims, or elements thereof. Other objects, advantages and capabilitiesof the present invention will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds taken in conjunction with the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cut-away view of an inflatable jack. Inflatable membrane 3wraps around extruded member 2. Air may be supplied through pre-moldedshape 1 through hose 4.

FIG. 2 is a cut-away plan view of the inflatable jack depicted inFIG. 1. Inflatable membrane 3 encloses extruded member 2

FIG. 3 is a section identified in FIG. 2. Extruded member 2 is bondedalong surface 8 to inflatable membrane 3, but not bonded along surface7, nor along the circular surface of contact 9. Hole 5 allowstransmission of pressurized fluid (e.g. pressurized air) around theperiphery of the inflatable jack. The air may pass from continuous,longitudinal hole 5 out through vent holes 6

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7 depict an optional pre-molded elastomeric fitting,which adapts an external hose to the internal stress relief profile.

FIG. 8 shows a cross section of an inflatable jack in a deflatedcondition.

FIG. 9 shows an inflatable jack in the inflated condition with thestress relief profile secured to the side of the inflated device.

FIG. 10 shows an inflatable dam body in the deflated condition.Inflatable membrane 3 is secured by wedges 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d, and11 e at upstream end 10. Insert (or circumferentially continuous, orintegrally adjoined, or joint traversing) layer 12 prevents tearing ifthe envelope is inflated without external clamping forces. Fin 14includes fin insert 15 under reinforcement layer 16.

FIG. 11 is the inflatable dam of FIG. 10 in the inflated configuration.Inflatable membrane 3 holds fin 14 and stress relief extrusion 2 inposition. Dam-to-spillway clamp 17 holds the inflatable dam to spillwayfoundation 18 (a spillway).

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of an inflatable dam, using a simplerectangular clamp 118 in conjunction with “comma” insert 21 andanti-tear reinforcement 12. The thickened portion of the inflatablemembrane 3 containing stress relief shape 2 and fin insert 15 lieswithin a recess in the spillway 22. Nut 20 holds clamp 118 onto anchorbolt 19. The air connection 24 to the inflatable dam may be connected tohollow extrusion 5 by means of a molded groove 23 that provides aclearance space for air between upper and lower adjacent portions ofdeflated membrane 3. Expressed in more general terms, a segment of atleast one layer of the inflatable bladder membrane 1002 may be adaptedto surround a spatial void (that may be termed a membrane spatial void)that is fluidicly responsive to a spatial void 1003 formed by the airsupply fitting (or pressurized fluid element) 24 and to a longitudinalspatial void 5 enclosed by the longitudinal spatial void enclosinginsert element 1004. The membrane spatial void may also be fluidiclyresponsive to a bladder interior-to-longitudinal spatial void fluidconveyance hole. The inflatable dam may be rendered less prone to flowinduced vibration damage when deflated by lowering the internal pressureto below atmospheric pressure by means of a vacuum system connected toair supply fitting 24. This causes tight adherence of membrane 3 toinsert 2, resulting in a stiffer structure at a location known fordamage problems with conventional designs.

FIG. 13 is an inflatable dam similar to that shown in FIG. 12 in theinflated configuration. Insert 21 provides positive engagement to clamp118. Recess 22 can be seen on spillway 18.

FIG. 14 is a cross section of a pneumatic spillway gate in accordancewith the present invention. Relief groove 23 connects air fitting 24 tohollow stress relief extrusion 2. Gate panel 444 is secured to hingeflap 25 by means of hinge retainer 26.

FIG. 15 shows the deflated air bladder of the spillway gate shown inFIG. 14. “Comma-” type Insert member 21 is located upstream of flatportion 28. Holes 29 through flat portion 28 permit assembly with theclamp 118 of FIG. 14. The enlarged portion 27 of the hinge flap 25prevents the hinge flap from pulling out from under the hinge retainer26 of FIG. 14. Anti tearing layer 12 prevents rupture of the air bladderunder unclamped or loosely clamped conditions.

FIG. 16 shows an air supply groove 23 molded into inflatable membrane 3.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show an inflatable hose in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a frame across which four wires arestretched. The wires define the edges of an inflatable article of whichthe innermost layer is shown positioned on the wires. The subsequentlayers are indicated in the exploded view.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a corner of an inflatable articleshowing a positioning rod (or wire) within stress relief inserts.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the edge of an inflatable article in itsdeflated configuration.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of the edge of an inflatable article in itsinflated configuration.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the release fabric layer only of arectangular box shaped inflatable article positioned on tight wires orcables which define the article's shape and dimensions.

FIG. 24 is a sectional elevation view of a spillway gate actuator as itwould be manufactured by the method of at least one embodiment of theinventive technology.

FIG. 25 is a sectional elevation of the inflatable actuator of FIG. 24shown in conjunction with other elements of a spillway gate system andshown in the inflated position.

FIG. 26 is section 26-26 of FIG. 25 showing an air supply groove moldedinto interior surface of the inflatable air bladder.

FIG. 27 shows an arrangement of edge defining wires in conjunction withauxiliary wires, the purpose of which is to limit the deflection of theedge defining wires.

FIG. 28 shows an arrangement of four wires used to define the edges of arectangular inflatable air bladder as well as a fifth wire used todefine the position of a hinge flap manufactured integral to the airbladder.

FIG. 29 shows the use of a single wire rope to define all four edges ofa rectangle for use in manufacturing a rectangular inflatable “pillowshape”.

FIG. 30 is a perspective cut-away view of the edge of an inflatablearticle in conjunction with a mold in which said article might bevulcanized.

FIG. 31 shows the outline of a bias ply layer in relation to the wiresaround which it would be subsequently folded.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a double ended hose nipple positionedon an edge defining wire in conjunction with a removable tube used tokeep an open fluid passage during cure.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of a positively conformed, inflatedstress reduced deflated bladder fold membrane element.

FIGS. 34 and 35 are cross-sectional views of one type of conventionallydesigned inflatable elastomeric dam in the vicinity of the deflatedbladder fold. FIG. 34 is a deflated configuration, FIG. 35 is aninflated an inflated configuration.

FIG. 36 is a sectional elevation of a traffic compatible roadway floodprotection barrier shown in the raised position.

FIG. 37 is a detailed sectional elevation of the gate shown in FIG. 36showing the details of the hinge and air bladder connections.

FIG. 38 is a sectional elevation of at least one embodiment of thepresent invention showing the gate of FIG. 39 in its raised positionwith the actuating air bladder inflated.

FIG. 39 is a sectional elevation of at least one embodiment of thepresent invention showing a gate in its lowered position in associationwith the actuating air bladder deflated.

FIG. 40 is a plan view of a hinge assembly with the rubber covering notshown.

FIG. 41 is sectional view 41-41 of the hinge of FIG. 40, with the rubbercovering shown.

FIG. 42 is a hinge as it might be configured from lightweight compositematerials.

FIG. 43 is a roadway flood barrier gate assembly shown in its raisedposition.

FIG. 44 is the gate of FIG. 43 shown in its lowered position.

FIG. 45 is a sectional elevation view of a gate configured for arailroad flood barrier shown in its lowered position.

FIG. 46 is a sectional view of the gate of FIG. 45.

FIG. 47 is a sectional elevation view of the gate of FIG. 45 shown inits raised position.

FIG. 48 is an end view of the gate shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the gate of 38 and 39 shown in itsraised position.

FIGS. 50 through 55 are a cross-sectional view of different types ofhinges.

FIG. 56 is a sectional elevation of a traffic compatible roadway floodprotection barrier shown in the raised position.

FIG. 57 is a detailed sectional of the side seal of the gate shown inFIG. 56.

FIG. 58 is a cut-away plan view of the gate shown in FIG. 56.

FIG. 59 is a sectional elevation 59-59 of FIG. 58.

FIG. 60 is a plan view of the embedded frame for the gate system of FIG.56.

FIG. 61 is sectional view of an alternate air bladder connectionconfiguration.

FIG. 62 is a detailed sectional elevation of the hinge area of FIG. 56,with the gate lowered.

FIGS. 63, 64, and 65 are perspective views from the downstream side ofat least one embodiment of the present invention as it might beinstalled on a dam spillway.

FIG. 66 is a close-up perspective view from the downstream side of theembodiment of the present invention of FIG. 63 as it might be installedon a dam spillway.

FIG. 67 is a sectional elevation of the embodiment of the presentinvention depicted in FIGS. 62 and 66, showing a gate in its raisedposition in association with the actuating air bladder inflated.

FIG. 68 is a perspective view of at least one embodiment of the presentinvention in the form of a flood protection barrier.

FIG. 69 is a sectional elevation view of at least one embodiment of FIG.68 in its raised position.

FIG. 70 is a sectional elevation view of at least one embodiment ofFIGS. 68 and 69 with the gate panel in its lowered position.

FIG. 71 is a view of at least one embodiment of FIG. 69 with anactuating air bladder in its inflated configuration.

FIG. 72 is a view of at least one embodiment of FIG. 70 shown with airbladders in deflated configuration.

FIGS. 73 and 74 are sectional elevation views of at least one embodimentof the present invention featuring an automatic tripping mechanism.

FIGS. 75 through 78 are views of portions of FIGS. 73 and 74.

FIG. 79 is a perspective view of an example hinge portion of at leastone embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIGS. 68 through 72.

FIG. 80 Figure is a plan view of the hinge portion of at least oneembodiment of the present invention as depicted in FIGS. 68 through 72and FIG. 79.

FIGS. 81, 82 and 83 show a cross section of an air bladder in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention.

FIGS. 84, 85, and 86 show a cross section of an air fitting inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIGS. 87 and 88 show a portion of an air bladder and its associated airfitting in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 89 shows of a portion of a partially constructed air bladder andits associated air fitting in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 90 is a plan view of an air fitting in accordance with an aspect ofthe present invention.

FIG. 91 is an elevation view of the air fitting of FIG. 90 in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 92 is a cross section view of the air fitting of FIGS. 81 through91 in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 93 is an elevation view of an abutment plate in accordance with anaspect of the present invention.

FIG. 94 shows the water and gate side of an abutment plate in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 95 shows the concrete side of an abutment plate in accordance withan aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 96 shows the concrete anchor assembly associated with an abutmentplate in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 97 is a plan view of the abutment plate of FIG. 93 in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 98 is a detail cross section of the abutment plate of FIGS. 93 and97 in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 99 is an exploded view of a spillway gate assembly in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 100 is a perspective view of the spillway gate system in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 101 is a cross section of an inter-panel seal in accordance with anaspect of the present invention.

FIG. 102 is an elevation view of one embodiment of an abutment seal inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 103 is a perspective view of the seal of FIG. 102 in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 104 is a perspective view of an interpanel seal in accordance withan aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 105 is a perspective view of the abutment facing side of oneembodiment of an abutment seal in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention.

FIG. 106 is a perspective view of the water side of one embodiment of anabutment seal in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 107 is a close up view of a portion of FIG. 103.

FIG. 108 is a close up view of a portion of FIG. 107.

FIG. 109 is an exploded view of a gate system incorporating the abutmentseal of FIGS. 105 through 108.

FIG. 110 is a cross section view of one embodiment of the presentinvention showing the gate in the raised position.

FIG. 111 is a cross section view of the gate of FIG. 110 showing thegate in the lowered position.

FIG. 112 is a plan view of an inflatable dam in its deflated position inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 113 is a sectional elevation view of the inflatable dam of FIG. 112in its deflated position in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 114 is a cross section schematic of water flow over the inflatabledam of FIGS. 112 and 113 with said inflatable dam in its inflatedposition.

FIG. 115 is a perspective cutaway view of the inflatable dam of FIGS.112 through 114 illustrating the effect of surface texture features ondisbursement of the nappe.

FIG. 116 is a sectional elevation view of one embodiment of the presentinvention shown in the raised position.

FIG. 117 is a sectional elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 116 shown inthe lowered position.

FIG. 118 is an elevation view facing upstream of the embodiment of FIGS.116 and 117.

FIG. 119 is a plan view of a portion of the embodiment of FIGS. 116,117, and 118.

FIGS. 120 and 121 show an impounded water-side overtop trafficable(roadway, e.g.) inflatably actuated water impoundment apparatus. FIG.120 shows a raised configuration. FIG. 121 shows a loweredconfiguration.

FIGS. 122, 123, and 124 show a sea (or storm) surge inflatably actuatedwater control apparatus. FIG. 122 shows a plan view. FIG. 123 shows araised configuration. FIG. 124 shows a lowered configuration.

FIGS. 125 and 126 show a floatably raisable overtop trafficable waterimpoundment element. FIG. 125 shows a raised configuration. FIG. 126shows a lowered configuration.

FIG. 127 shows a plurality of abutment plates (in this case a tiledarrangement) in an inflatably actuated spilling water gate panelapparatus (or system).

FIGS. 128 and 129 a nappe aeration apparatus whose flex is supplied bythe material of which the nappe breaker is made. FIG. 128 shows anangled view as unattached. FIG. 129 shows a side view as attached.

FIGS. 130 and 131 show a nappe aeration apparatus, from the front andside, respectively, whose flex is provided by an impact flexure element.

FIGS. 132 and 133 show rear and side views, respectively, ofinconspicuous restraining straps located between an inflatable watergate panel actuator apparatus and a proximate foundation (in this case adam abutment).

FIGS. 134 and 135 are cross section views of overtop trafficableembodiments of the present invention, showing the gate in the raisedposition and the lowered position, respectively.

FIG. 136 shows a cross section view of a floatably raisable overtoptrafficable water impoundment element.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

At least one embodiment of the present invention may utilize an inflatedbladder stress reduction apparatus such as an extruded profile or insertwhich may be elastomeric in at least one embodiment and which may remainsecured to the interior surface of an inflatable article (a general termused to define any inflatable object, apparatus, structure or product)when the article is inflated. This configuration may eliminate the needto remove or dissolve a profiled tool or mandrel during themanufacturing process (but the insert may indeed be removable (as simplyby force, or dissolvable) if such is desired—the fact that the elementis termed an insert does not preclude its removal or dissolving from theinflatable apparatus because in all cases it serves as an insert,although when it is dissolved or removed it serves as an insert onlytemporarily). One face on a tear drop shaped extruded profile, which maybe more generally referred to as a substantially elongated,substantially cross-sectionally drop-shaped, deflated bladder foldmembrane insert element (which may be as indicated by part (2) in atleast one embodiment) or an inflated stress relief insert (2) (or juststress relief insert, or longitudinal insert element) may remain bondedto a part of the interior surface (a part of the inner deflated bladderfold membrane surface) 1005 of the inflatable article, while the curvedsurface (9) and remaining face (7) (which may be flat) may be preventedfrom bonding during manufacturing by use of a release film, use of arelease agent, or by omission of a bonding agent, as but a few examples.The term elastomeric as used herein and throughout this discussion isdefined to have an elastic limit of greater than or equal to 10%,meaning that it has a reversible elongation of at least 10% (or, inother words, a less than 10% elongation will not cause plasticdeformation). Relatedly, it is important to understand that the termbladder is intended to include any apparatus that substantially expands(i.e., expands beyond mere de minimus expansion of certain pressurizablebut non-expanding articles such as metallic oxygen tank) upon internalpressurization. When an element is limited as elastomeric, it need notbe elastomeric in every possible elongation direction, but merely atleast one. Indeed, an elastomeric material can include materials thatare not elastomeric, as long as the resultant product is elastomeric inat least one direction.

It is important to understand that every reference to a part of a figure(as 2 above) is intended only to indicate but one example of the part orelement that the reference seeks to clarify. The reference is notintended to indicate that the referenced part or element is the onlyshape, size, type or configuration that would suffice to accomplish thedesired function but instead is merely intended as an example of a partor element that would adequately perform the desired task or properlyserve or function as that element. The substantially elongated,substantially cross-sectionally drop-shaped, deflated bladder foldmembrane insert element (2) (or simply inflated stress relief insertelement or stress relief insert element) may operate in the capacity ofa minimum deflated bladder fold membrane curvature radius increaseelement. The term drop shaped (in cross-section) is intended torepresent a wide variety of shapes, with the only requirement being thatone portion is substantially curved while the opposite side of the dropis substantially an intersection of two lines (although thatintersection need not be a point). Further, the term drop-shaped isintended to encompass drops that are not symmetric about anycross-sectional axis (in addition to those that are symmetric about onecross-sectional axis). The term substantially elongated is intended toinclude elements that, either alone or in combination with other similaradjacently positioned elements, are longer than they arecross-sectionally widest, and includes straight and curved elements. Itis also important to note that the term element is intended to includenot only one of the indicated type of structure or otherwise, but also aplurality of the indicated type of structure or otherwise. For example,the substantially elongated substantially cross-sectionally drop-shaped,deflated bladder fold membrane insert element may be one insert alongone edge and a second insert along that edge, the two or more partstogether forming the indicated element. This intended use of the termelement applies throughout the application.

The deflated bladder fold is one of the possibly plural number of foldsthat may appear in the inflatable membrane when the inflatable articleis deflated. The term is intended to refer to that portion of theinflatable membrane that folds in a deflated configuration and thusexists even in an inflated configuration, referring in that situation tothe membrane portion that folds in a deflated configuration. Thisdefinitional approach is taken precisely because it is thecross-sectional shape and size of the deflated fold that governs thenature, magnitude and concentration of the stresses that the internallypressurized fluid imparts to the deflated fold membrane in an inflatedconfiguration. Indeed, as one might expect, the smaller the radius ofcurvature of the deflated fold membrane, the greater the stresses atthat membrane in an inflated configuration. Further, given that thedeflated fold membrane exhibits perhaps the sharpest of allcross-sectional curves in the deflated configuration, and given thatthese bends represent the relaxed configuration shape that thepressurized internal fluid must reconfigure and from which thepressurized article must deviate, the deflated fold membrane istypically the most prone to an excessive internal pressure inducedfailure, one reason for this being that its eventual inflated shaperepresents the greatest deviation from its relaxed, deflationconfiguration shape. In at least one embodiment of the invention, aminimum deflated bladder fold membrane curvature radius increase elementseeks to prevent or at least delay failure at the inflatable bladder's(or inflatable bladder element's) most vulnerable area—the deflatedbladder fold membrane—by increasing the radius of curvature of thedeflated fold membrane in its inflated configuration by increasing it inits deflated configuration. Relevantly, one cause of the tight crosssectional deflated bladder curve may be considered to be manufacturingmethods that vulcanize the bladder in a deflated, substantially flatconfiguration that may necessarily (or intentionally) include tightfolds, each with a small radius of curvature. Also, in a deflatedconfiguration of at least one embodiment of the invention, thesubstantially elongated, substantially cross-sectionally drop-shaped,deflated bladder fold membrane insert element 2 may be viewed as adeflated bladder storage facilitation element because it may enable adeflated configuration manufacture of the bladder (that otherwise,without the insert 2, would not be possible because of the unacceptablytight, inflation failure inducing folds) that in turn results in abladder that relaxes into deflated configuration and assumes a roughlysimilar, predictable deflated configuration. Further, the substantiallyelongated, substantially cross-sectionally drop-shaped, deflated bladderfold membrane insert element 2 may act to facilitate storage also inthat it allows the expanded profile, deflated bladder fold (in adeflated configuration) to withstand pressures arising from abutting oradjacently stored deflated bladders (as in a coil), or that arise fromthe placement of any items proximately to the deflated bladder. Withoutinsert 2, (or if the deflated fold membrane has not been positivelyconformed to have an increased minimum radius of curvature) the storagepressures (e.g., arising from a coil) may cause structural damage to thedeflated fold membrane. It is important to realize that somemanufacturing processes may create non-linear folds in order to createthe desired inflatable article shape.

Again, any figures or description thereof appearing in this applicationare of at least one embodiment and are not to be read to limit in anyway the invention or embodiments thereof or any claims that may appearor elements thereof. Referring now to FIG. 1, a cut-away view of aninflatable article is shown. Inflatable bladder membrane 3 wraps aroundthe substantially elongated, substantially cross-sectionallydrop-shaped, deflated bladder fold membrane insert element (which may bean extruded member or extrusion) 2. Air may be supplied throughpre-molded shape 1 through hose (or more generally, pressurized fluidconveyer) 4. In at least one embodiment, the insert element 2 may beelastomeric, but other suitable materials (such as polymers, e.g.) aredeemed within the ambit of the inventive subject matter.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a cut-away plan view of the inflatable articledepicted in FIG. 1 is shown. Inflatable membrane 3 encloses extrudedmember 2. Extruded member 2 preferably extends around the perimeter ofinflatable article 3 a. Corner member (or, termed differently,substantially cross-sectionally drop-shaped, deflated bladder cornerfold membrane insert element) 1 may act to relieve inflated stresses atthe corners. Air or other fluid may be introduced through corner member1 or by other means such as tubes, hoses or bulkhead type fittings or,alternatively, through an improved fitting hereinafter described.

The substantially elongated, substantially cross-sectionallydrop-shaped, deflated bladder fold membrane insert element may be viewedas comprising several parts. Specifically, it may comprise asubstantially elongated, smooth cross-sectionally curved, half-cylindershaped, inner deflated bladder fold membrane surface contactable element(which is that surface part of the insert that can contact thehalf-circular inner fold membrane in a deflated configuration); twosubstantially opposing, substantially planar, inner deflated bladderfold adjacent membrane surface contactable elements 1006 that areresponsive to the substantially elongated, smooth cross-sectionallycurved, half-cylinder shaped, inner deflated bladder fold membranesurface contactable element; an inner deflated bladder fold adjacentmembrane surface contactable element intersection vertex element that isresponsive to said two substantially opposing, substantially planar,inner deflated bladder fold adjacent membrane surface contactableelements; and a deflated bladder fold membrane insert element bodyelement established internally of each said substantially elongated,smooth cross-sectionally curved, half-cylinder shaped, inner deflatedbladder fold membrane surface contactable element, said twosubstantially opposing, substantially planar, inner deflated bladderfold adjacent membrane surface contactable elements, and said innerdeflated bladder fold adjacent membrane surface contactable elementintersection vertex element. The substantially elongated, smoothcross-sectionally curved, half-cylinder shaped, inner deflated bladderfold membrane surface contactable element 9 is a part that contacts theinner deflated fold membrane surface and that is half-cylinder shaped(where such cylinder is not restricted merely to circularcross-sections). It also has a smooth cross-sectional curve that theinner deflated bladder fold membrane surface may contact, at least in adeflated configuration. The two substantially opposing, substantiallyplanar, inner deflated bladder fold adjacent membrane surfacecontactable elements 1006 are each configured to contact a surface(s) ofthe inner deflated bladder membrane that is adjacent 1008 to the innerdeflated fold membrane 1007 (typically these surfaces would runalongside the deflated bladder fold membrane). Even an undulatingsurface may be substantially planar, as long as all curves are smooth incross-section (also note that each of the elements is substantially—itis not necessarily the case that the two elements are substantially ofthe same plane). The two elements may be substantially opposing eventhough their planes are tilted with respect to one another. The innerdeflated bladder fold adjacent membrane surface contactable elementintersection vertex element is the intersection of the two innerdeflated bladder fold adjacent membrane surface contactable elements ata vertex several of which together may be substantially linear (possiblyeven curved). Note that all surface contactable elements refer to thepart of the insert that is located at the surface of the insert. Thedeflated bladder fold membrane insert element body element may beestablished internally of the other above-mentioned insert parts. Thedeflated bladder fold membrane insert element is intended to cover notonly the case where there is clearly a structure internal of the surfacecontactable elements (and the intersection vertex element, which maycontact an inner membrane surface or not), but also the case where therequired structural rigidity of the insert element is provided by, e.g.,strong material surface contactable elements (and the intersectionvertex element) of a hollow insert. In such a case, the surfacecontactable elements would be the very surface of the strong material.The deflated bladder fold membrane insert element body element would, inthe case of a hollow insert, be the sub-surface material.

Cross section 3-3 identified in FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 3. Extrudedshape 2 (at majority surficial portion of one of the two substantiallyopposing, substantially planar, inner deflated bladder fold adjacentmembrane surface contactable elements) is bonded (or adhered) alongsurface 8 to a portion 1005 of inner deflated bladder fold membranesurface 3 (that portion being a deflated bladder fold adjacent membranesurface), but is not bonded along surface 7, nor along the possiblycircular arc surface 9. Note that a majority surficial portion of one ofthe two substantially opposing, substantially planar, inner deflatedbladder fold adjacent membrane surface contactable elements may also beadhereable to a deflated bladder fold membrane surface (i.e., the innermembrane of the fold bend itself). Hole 5, more generally a longitudinalspatial void may be used to allow transmission of inflation gas or fluidaround the periphery of the inflatable article via a longitudinalspatial void enclosing deflated bladder fold membrane insert element1009. Thus, the insert element may be a compressed fluid conveyable,longitudinal spatial void enclosing deflated bladder fold membraneinsert element. Said gas or fluid may pass from continuous hole 5 outthrough vent holes 6, or what may be termed a bladderinterior-to-longitudinal spatial void fluid conveyance hole that isfluidicly responsive to the longitudinal spatial void that may be foundin insert element 1009.

Different types of inflatable articles may have stress relief insert(s)along different numbers and configurations of deflated bladder foldmembranes. For example, inflatable bladders of each of the following:fluid conveyance or expansion hose 1010; inflatable elastomeric dam1011; inflatable jack (a type of apparatus used in elevate an item uponinflation); dock bumper; inflatable water gate panel (perhaps inflatablebottom-hinged water gate panel) actuator apparatus 1012; dunnage bag;and the inflatable seal (some type of apparatus that seals uponinflation) may each have stress relief inserts along two longitudinal,substantially parallel deflated bladder fold membranes, or along fourrectangularly situated deflated bladder fold membranes, or along onesmooth continuous (a circle, or oval, as but two examples) deflatedbladder fold membrane; or along one deflated bladder end fold membraneand two parallel, deflated bladder fold membranes orthogonal to the oneend fold membrane, as but a few examples. The inflatable elastomeric damand the inflatable water gate panel (perhaps inflatable bottom-hingedwater gate panel) actuator apparatus may further (in alternateembodiments) have stress relief insert(s) along the following: oneoverflow orthogonal, longitudinal (meaning having a length) deflatedbladder fold membrane; one overflow orthogonal, longitudinal deflatedbladder fold membrane and two parallel, overflow aligned deflatedbladder end fold membranes. The term overflow orthogonal (or overflowaligned) is defined to indicate an orientation that is orthogonal to (oraligned with) the direction of overflow if it were to occur. Aninflatable water gate panel actuator membrane 1013 may be configured torotate a water gate panel about an upstream leading edge of the gatepanel (see FIG. 14) or a downstream leading edge of the gate panel (seeFIG. 101).

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7, an optional pre-moldedelastomeric fitting 1, which adapts an external hose to the internalstress relief profile, is shown.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a cross section of an inflatable article 3 a ina deflated condition is shown, illustrating the position of stressrelief profile 2 relative to inflatable article 3 a.

Referring now to FIG. 9, said inflatable article 3 a is shown in theinflated configuration with the stress relief profile 2 secured to theinside of said inflated article.

As for definitions of certain terms the dock bumper element may merelybe the expandable portion of the dock bumper; an inflatable seal elementmay merely be the expandable portion of the inflatable seal; theinflatable jack element (may be smooth perimeter or substantiallyrectangular, e.g.) may merely be the expandable portion of theinflatable jack.

FIG. 14 is a cross section of a pneumatic spillway gate in accordancewith the present invention. Relief groove 23 may be provided to connectair fitting 24 to hollow stress relief extrusion 2. Gate panel 444 maybe secured to hinge flap 25 by means of hinge retainer 26.

It is important to understand that the stress relief insert 2 may beremovable (such as a removable, deflated bladder fold membrane insertelement) as by force or by dissolution (i.e., a dissolvable, deflatedbladder fold membrane insert element) after a manufacturing process(such as vulcanization) so that it does not remain in the finalinflatable product, but instead is used to positively conform thedeflated bladder fold during the manufacturing process (such asvulcanization), with the intent that such shape will be retained aftermanufacture and the minimum curvature radius of the deflated foldmembrane in a deflated configuration will be greater than what it wouldbe without use of a positively conforming insert, and thus the inflatedstresses at the deflated fold membrane will be less than what theyotherwise would be during inflation. Such a positively conformedinflatable bladder apparatus may be termed a strength enhancedinflatable bladder apparatus and may include at least one positivelyconformed, inflated stress reduced (or distributed) deflated bladderfold membrane element 1016 that is positively conformed to have aninflated bladder stress reduction significant increase in a minimumcurvature radius 1017 and where a deflated bladder fold proximatemembrane profile (the profile of the bladder membrane that is near thedeflated bladder fold) 1018 exhibits an approximately thirty degree orgreater deflation configuration spatial void profile point angle 1020.The deflated bladder fold membrane element 1016 that is positivelyconformed to have an inflated bladder stress reduction significantincrease in a minimum curvature radius 1017 may be positively conformedusing a dissolvable or removable insert so that the minimum curvatureradius 1017 of the deflated bladder fold membrane 1016 is increased tothe point where there is a noticeable or functionally significantincrease in the inflation pressure that causes failure at the deflatedbladder fold. The bladder structure is such that an increase in theminimum curvature radius of the deflated bladder fold membrane mayresult in an increase in what is termed the deflation configurationspatial void profile point angle 1020 of the deflated bladder foldproximate membrane profile 1018, and that the use of a removable ordissolvable stress relief insert to positively conform the deflatedbladder fold membrane may cause this point angle 1020 to beapproximately thirty degrees or greater. Importantly, the strengthenhanced inflatable bladder apparatus may be manufactured during asingle stage vulcanization. Manufacturing processes related to apositively conformed deflated bladder fold may be termed inflatablebladder failure resistance enhancement methods and may include the stepof dissolvedly removing (or simply removing) a longitudinal reliefelement, which, in order to facilitate dissolution, may be a eutecticsalt stress relief element or an aluminum stress relief element, as buttwo examples. Methods related to the stress relief insert may be termedinflatable bladder failure resistance enhancement methods, regardless ofwhether the stress relief insert is removed or dissolved. Note that theterm inflatable water gate panel actuator element (or inflatable gatepanel actuator element) may be used to refer to an inflatable bladderused to actuate water gate panel(s). A water gate panel actuator element(or a gate panel actuator element) refers to any type of actuator(pneumatic, hydraulic, etc.) that actuates water gate panels (which mayinclude overtop trafficable gates in addition to other water controlgates such as spillway gates or canal or weir gates).

Referring now to FIG. 10, an inflatable elastomeric dam is shown in thedeflated condition. Inflatable elastomeric dam bladder 3 is secured byan inflatable dam-to-foundation attachment element (or inflatablemembrane-to-foundation attachment element) that may include awedge-shaped clamp retention element 1021 (or wedge-shaped inflatablemembrane (or bladder)-to-foundation clamp retention element) that mayconsist of parts 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d, and 11 e at upstream end 10) oran attachment element that alternatively may comprise an inflatablemembrane-to-foundation clampable retention element (see FIG. 12) 1022that may be substantially flat and an inflatable membrane-to-foundationclamp retention enhancement element 1023 that may include a comma-typeinsert 21. Further, a pressurized fluid inlet element 24 may be added torender the item activatable. Insert plies 12 may prevent tearing orleaking if the envelope is inflated with zero or insufficient externalclamping force. Fin (or termed differently, inflatable elastomeric damovertop flow-deflection fin, or an overflow deflection fin) 14 is anyprotrusion that may divert the overtop flow away from the elastomericdam and may include a fin insert 15 that is established co-radially(radius of the inflated bladder) and internally of reinforcement layer16. Note that any reinforcement layer (in any inflatable article) mayalso be referred to as reinforced bladder ply, or reinforced layer,e.g., and may include a fibrous or fabric material such as kevlar,nylon, polyester, as but a few examples, or any type of twisted cord,wire rope, braided rope, knitted fabric, or woven fabric, each of whichmay be embedded in or covered with an elastomeric material.Reinforcement 16 of fin 14 increases the strength and stiffness of fin14. The fin may be established such that a minimum bladder fold membranecurvature radius occurs co-radially and internally of the inflatableelastomeric dam overtop flow deflection fin (indeed, it may be termed anovertop flow deflection fin proximate bladder fold membrane). Theinflatable membrane to which the stress relief insert may be attached,or which may be positively conformed to have an increased minimumcurvature radius, may be termed a flow deflection fin proximate innerbladder section, and may exhibit not only an approximately thirty degreeor greater void profile point angle, but also a substantially circulararc inner bladder curvature 1024 and a rounded, inwardly pointingcurvature 1017 (see FIG. 33).

This represents an improvement over those designs that, for example, hadsuch a sharp fold that the deflated bladder fold appeared to have abracket (}) shape 1025, with extreme stress concentrations arising atthe right point of the} 1026. Related methods may be termed inflatableelastomeric dam failure resistance enhancement methods.

FIG. 11 shows the inflatable dam of FIG. 10 in the inflatedconfiguration. Inflatable membrane 3 holds fin insert 15 and stressrelief extrusion 2 in position. Clamp 17 holds the inflatable dam tospillway 18. The interior surface of the bladder membrane 3 may bedesigned to stay within safe stress and strain limits by virtue of lackof stress concentrations which might be present were the deflatedmembrane 3 not shaped to conform to stress relief insert 2. Recess 22 infoundation or spillway 18 allows the thickened downstream portion ofsaid inflatable dam including inserts 2 and 15 to lie flat againstfoundation 18 in the deflated configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 12, another embodiment of an inflatable dam, usinga simple rectangular clamp 118 in conjunction with “comma” insert 21 andanti-tear reinforcement 12 is shown. The thickened portion of theinflatable membrane 3 containing stress relief shape 2 and fin insert 15lies within a recess or step in the spillway 22. Nut 20 holds clamp 118onto anchor bolt 19. The air connection 24 to the inflatable dam may beconnected to hollow extrusion 2 by means of a molded groove 23 thatprovides a clearance space for air between the upper and lower portionsof deflated membrane 3. The inflatable dam may be rendered less prone toflow induced vibration damage when deflated by lowering the internalpressure to below atmospheric pressure by means of a vacuum systemconnected to air supply fitting 24. This causes tight adherence ofmembrane 3 to insert 2, resulting in a stiffer structure at a locationknown for damage problems with conventional designs.

FIG. 13 is an inflatable dam similar to that shown in FIG. 12 in theinflated configuration. Insert 21 provides positive engagement to clamp118. Step 22 can be seen on spillway 118. Said step 22 may allow theinflatable dam to be continuously supported from the underside while alevel profile of the upper surface of said inflatable dam may bemaintained.

As to manufacturing processes, the term extrudedly manufacturingindicates using a type of extrusion manufacturing process, while theterm moldedly manufacturing indicates using a type of mold manufacturingprocess.

FIG. 15 shows the deflated air bladder (or deflated inflatable watercontrol bladder element) of the spillway gate shown in FIG. 14. Insertmember 21 is located upstream of flat portion 28. Holes 29 through flatportion 28 permit assembly with the clamp 118 of FIG. 14. The enlargedportion 27 of the water gate panel hinge flap (or gate pane hinge flapelement) 25 may prevent the hinge flap from pulling out from under thehinge retainer 26 of FIG. 14. Circumferentially continuous, integrallyadjoined inner bladder layer 12 is an anti-tearing layer and may preventrupture of inflatable actuator bladder 203 under unclamped or looselyclamped conditions in that, instead of following the path of externalbladder layers that perhaps loop 1030 to provide support to theattachment element, anti-tearing layer 12 traverses the abutment joint1031 between the upper and lower installed configuration bladder layersthat form an extended loop to provide support for the attachment element1032 (which includes, e.g. 21). The circumferentially continuous,integrally adjoined inner bladder layer may comprise a layer 12 that iscontinuous (i.e., does not form an abutment joint 1031 as it continueson to loop around another part as do layers 1030) along a circumference(which need not be circular) located within a plane that is parallel toa bladder expansion axis (the axis of primary expansion and usuallyvertical as installed) and whose normal vector is substantiallyperpendicular to a retained water horizontal force component (theoverflow direction). The layer(s) 12 may include an innermost reinforcedbladder ply 1033 and/or may be at least one overflow orthogonal (orupstream or downstream), deflated bladder joint traversing ply 1034(perhaps at least one reinforcement ply, and/or perhaps an overfloworthogonal deflated bladder joint traversing ply, meaning upstream ordownstream). The integrally adjoined inner bladder layer may have alongitudinal central axis in an installed configuration (i.e., aninstalled inflated configuration longitudinal central axis) 1035 that ishorizontal and normal to an impending flow direction. The water controlbladder element may be adapted for attachment to a water control gatepanel bottom edge as installed, which merely means that the watercontrol bladder element can be attached to a water control gate paneledge (that, in an installed configuration, is the bottom edge). Gatepanel actuator-to-foundation attachment element 1032 (or inflatablemembrane-to-foundation attachment element, or inflatablebladder-to-foundation attachment element) is shown in FIG. 15 as havinga gate panel actuator-to-foundation clampable retention element (orperhaps inflatable bladder-to-foundation clampable retention element)1022, which may be a flat clampable section as shown in FIG. 12, and agate panel actuator-to-foundation clamp retention enhancement element(or perhaps inflatable bladder-to-foundation clamp retention enhancementelement) 1023, which may be a comma-type clamp retention enhancementelement 21 in at least one embodiment, but the gate panelactuator-to-foundation attachment element 1032 may also be awedge-shaped gate panel-to-actuator clamp retention element (orwedge-shaped bladder-to-foundation clamp retention element) 1021 asshown in FIG. 10. As its name suggests, the gate panelactuator-to-foundation attachment element serves to attach the entirewater gate panel actuator apparatus to a foundation such as a spillway18 (1035 of FIG. 116) or roadway foundation, or watercourse foundation,or floodpath foundation, as but a few examples. The gate pane actuatorapparatus may further comprise a pressurized fluid inlet element.Together with at least one water gate panel, and perhaps an excessivewater gate panel rotation prevention element, the inflatable water gatepanel actuator apparatus (which may be bottom hinged) comprises aninflatably actuated water gate panel system.

Inflatable article strength enhancement methods are also consideredwithin the ambit of the inventive technology. One such method maycomprise the step of establishing at least one reinforced expandableinner layer (a flexible fiber reinforced elastomeric layer, e.g) 1036 tohave a continuously adjoined vertically planar perimeter (another mannerof describing the integrally adjoined inner bladder layer) (see e.g.,FIG. 15); establishing an inflatable article end section (that may formthe end of the longitudinal bladder section); establishing only aportion of at least one reinforced expandable outer layer 1037 (whereouter layer is defined as all layers other than the innermost layer)externally of and in direct contact with the reinforced expandable innerlayer 1036; establishing a pressurized fluid inlet element 24 to createa fluid travel port through the at least one reinforced expandable innerlayer 1036 and the portion of the at least one reinforced expandableouter layer 1037; diverging a remaining portion of the at least onereinforced expandable outer layer 1039 from the at least one reinforcedexpandable inner layer 1036 along a layer divergence line 1039 (whichcomports with the above mentioned abutment joint); and establishing aninflatable bladder-to-foundation attachment element 1032 with at leastthe remaining portion of the at least one reinforced expandable outerlayer 1037.

The stress relief insert 2 may be used with or without an air supplyhole through the center. The portions of the inflatable envelope whichmust separate from stress relief insert 2 during inflation may beprevented from bonding during vulcanization by such means as watersoluble paper, silicone coated nylon release film or fabric, or byomission of bonding agent, for example.

Referring to FIG. 21, stress relief insert 2 containing hole 5 is bondedat location 8 to release ply 206 which is in turn bonded to inner liner207. Bonded to inner liner 207 are reinforced plies 208 and 209,followed by outer cover 210. The stress relief insert 2 remainsun-bonded except in region 8.

Referring to FIG. 22, the cross section of FIG. 21 is shown in theinflated configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 24, depicting a deflated air bladder of thespillway gate shown in FIG. 25, insert member 21 is located upstream offlat portion 28. Holes 29 through flat portion 28 permit assembly withthe clamp 118 of FIG. 25. The enlarged portion 27 of the hinge flap (orwater gate-to-inflatable water gate actuator attachment element) 25prevents the hinge flap from pulling out from under the hinge retainer26 of FIG. 25. Holes 5 through extruded shapes 2, 21, and 27 accommodatelocating wires used to position said extruded shapes during the assemblyphase of the manufacturing process.

Referring now to FIG. 25, a cross section of a pneumatic spillway gatesystem is depicted, mounted to a dam spillway 18, utilizing aninflatable actuator bladder 203 manufactured in accordance with anaspect of the present invention. Relief groove 23 connects air fitting24 to hollow stress relief extrusion 2. Gate panel 444 is secured tohinge flap 25 by means of hinge retainer 26. The inflatable actuatorbladder 203 is clamped to the dam spillway 18 by clamp 118.

Referring to FIG. 26, section 26 of FIG. 25, shows an air supply groove23 molded into the interior surface 119 of the inflatable articlemembrane 3.

FIG. 16 shows an air supply groove 23 molded into inflatable membrane 3at section 16 of FIG. 14.

Referring to FIGS. 81, 82, and 83, a cross section of an air bladder inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention isshown. Clamped portion 861 may be fixed to a dam spillway with a simplerectangular steel clamp bar, for example. The vertical face 865 of airbladder 853 may be molded to conform tightly to said clamp barthroughout the range of motion of hinge flap 862. In this manner thetrapping of sand and gravel between said clamp bar and hinge flap 862may be avoided thus prolonging the life of said air bladder 853.Inflatable cavity 866 may extend upstream to approximately position 866a. Reinforcement may preferably be oriented at approximately 54 degreesand 44 minutes from the axis of the air bladder. With said cord anglethere is no significant tendency for said air bladder to either elongateor contract during pressurization. Said reinforcing cord plies arepreferably used in pairs of one left hand and one right hand. Theinflatable portion of said air bladder preferably has continuousreinforcement, including sufficient overlap at any splices, atapproximately the aforementioned angles in both the right hand and lefthand orientations around the full circumference of said air bladder. Inthe configuration depicted, a total of three plies of said reinforcementact together to meet this requirement. Ply 807 serves to reinforce saidair bladder in a first direction. Ply 807 simply encircles inflatablecavity 866 and overlaps itself to form a spliced tubular shape. Ply 808serves to reinforce said air bladder in a second direction. The upperand lower portions of ply 808 may also extend across clamped portion861, hence around upstream insert 21, hence back downstream across flatclamped portion 861, hence across hinge flap 862, hence around hingeflap insert 27, hence back upstream across hinge flap 862, hence furtherupstream across clamped portion 861, terminating near insert 21. Plies807 and 808 together provide for continuous reinforcement aroundinflatable cavity 866 except for a discontinuity where ply 808 extendsupstream under clamped portion 861. Said plies 807 and 808 mightsufficiently reinforce inflatable cavity 866 when clamped portion 861 istightly clamped. In order to provide sufficient reinforcing duringunclamped or loosely clamped conditions, ply 860 may be added to providecontinuous reinforcement in the same ply direction as ply 808 at theupstream end of inflatable cavity 866. In this manner said air bladdermay be safely inflated without being clamped and may not be subject topremature failure due to being loosely clamped to a dam spillway.

FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 show an inflatable hose in accordance with thepresent invention. Stress relief insert 2 may be used to facilitatemanufacture of said hose and may be used to prevent complete collapse ofsaid hose under high external pressure conditions such as during deepsea immersion. Said complete collapse may impart damaging stress to aflat hose of prior art lacking stress relief insert 2. Note that theterm inflatable hose is defined to include not only expansion hoses(whose inflatable character allows them to serve as mechanical pressureimparting apparatus), but also fluid conveyance hoses, whose primaryfunction is to convey fluid and as to whom inflation may be merelyincidental, but nonetheless does occur (albeit usually not to the extentof, e.g., expansion hoses) and justifies their inclusion as among thegroup of inflatable hoses. Both types of hoses, and all inflatablearticles for that matter, can be termed as pressurizable articles.

The fluid conveyance hose 1010 includes as a part a fluid conveyanceelement 1042 that serves to directionally and pressurizedly convey thepressurized fluid, a pressurized fluid inlet element; and a discrete(meaning different from the inlet element at a given point in time)pressurized fluid outlet element that allows exit of the conveyedpressurized fluid. The expansion hose (or inflation hose) may comprisean expansion hose element 1042 (that, when sufficiently pressurized,expands the hose to impart external pressure or outer inflatablemembrane displacement) and a pressurized fluid inlet element that mayalso serve as a pressurized fluid outlet element.

Another aspect of the inventive technology is an integral water gatepanel hinge flap 1050 (of the inflatable water gate panel actuatorapparatus) that is configured to conform tightly to an abutting face1051 of the inflatable bladder-to-foundation clamp 118 (clamps theclampable retention element 1022 of the inflatable bladder-to-foundationattachment element 1040). Preliminarily, the integral water gate hingeflap is a flap that is integral with the water gate panel actuatorapparatus and that serves as an attachment element for the gate panel tothe water gate panel actuator apparatus; it may be termed an integralwater gate panel hinge flap attachment element. Essentially, theintegral water gate panel hinge flap 1050 may comprise an overfloworthogonal, vertical, inflatable bladder-to-foundation clamp faceabutting, corner-augmented edge element 1052 which is a edge elementthat is augmented to have a corner 1053 that abuts an overfloworthogonal (e.g., downstream) vertical face 1051 of an inflatablebladder-to-foundation clamp 118. This edge element may be configured toabut substantially all proximate portions of the overflow orthogonal,vertical inflatable bladder-to-foundation clamp face 1051. An associatedmethod may comprise the step of corner-augmenting an upper edge of theintegral water gate panel hinge flap attachment element 1050 to conformto an overflow orthogonal, vertical, inflatable bladder-to-foundationclamp face 1051.

An inflatable article manufacturing method may comprise the steps ofestablishing a bend resistant deflated bladder fold creationfacilitation element 201 (which serves as a firm support around which tobend an elastomeric material layer in order to create a deflated bladderfold) responsive to an inflatable bladder manufacture frame 211; foldingat least a portion of at least one elastomeric layer 207 around the bendresistant deflated bladder fold creation facilitation element 201 tocreate at least one inner-most bladder layer 207 (contact between thefacilitation element and the layer is not required); creating anoppositely facing inner most layer 1060 (see FIG. 20); preventingadjoining of the oppositely facing inner-most bladder layer 1060 (as byinsertion between the innermost layers of a cotton or othernon-adherable sheet 206, as but one example, so that the inflow ofpressurized fluid has a cavity to expand); and removing the bendresistant deflated bladder fold creation facilitation element 201 fromat least one created elastomeric fold. Note that the term bend resistantindicates a resistance to bending that might occur orthogonally to thelength of the bend resistant deflated bladder fold creation facilitationelement (as might be caused by the pressure of the manufacturing process(perhaps a manual process) that may seek to tightly bend the elastomericlayer around the bend resistant deflated bladder fold creationfacilitation element). To be bend resistant, as defined, the bendresistant deflated bladder fold creation facilitation element need notbe able to resist all deflection or displacement associated withbending, but rather only that amount which impairs the integrity andshape of the finished bladder product.

The bend resistant deflated bladder fold creation facilitation elementmay be a substantially straight, bend resistant deflated bladder foldcreation facilitation element 201; it may be a tensionable wire (orcable), bend resistant deflated bladder fold creation facilitationelement 201; it may be a tensionable rod, bend resistant deflatedbladder fold creation facilitation element 1061; it may be a metal bendresistant deflated bladder fold creation facilitation element 201. Thestep of tensioning a bend resistant deflated bladder fold creationfacilitation element may include the step of tensioning the deflatedbladder fold creation facilitation element either manually orautomatically. The tensioning may also be accomplished hydraulically(either automatically or not), either alone or in addition to anothermode of tension creation. The step of establishing at least two bendresistant deflated bladder fold creation facilitators may comprise thestep of establishing at least two parallel bend resistant deflatedbladder fold creation facilitators 1062 (see FIG. 28), which step itselfmay comprise the steps of establishing a substantially elongated,substantially cross-sectionally drop-shaped, deflated bladder foldmembrane insert element 2 around at least one of the at least twoparallel, bend resistant deflated bladder fold creation facilitationelements 1062; and establishing a bladder-to-foundation clamp retentionenhancement insert 1023 (which is any insert that serves to enhance theclamp retention of the bladder to the foundation) around a different atleast one of the at least two parallel bend resistant deflated bladderfold creation facilitators 1062. This method may further comprise thestep of establishing a panel-to-actuator element clamp retentionenhancement insert 1065 (which is any insert that serves to enhance theclamp retention of a water gate panel to its actuator element, which maybe inflatable) around a different at least one of said at least twoparallel bend resistant deflated bladder fold creation facilitators1062. The step of establishing at least two parallel bend resistantdeflated bladder fold creation facilitators 1062 may comprise the stepof establishing at least four rectangularly arranged bend resistantdeflated bladder fold creation facilitators 1067 (note that this stepdoes not preclude an addition of steps that create more parallel (orother oriented) bend resistant deflated bladder fold creationfacilitators). The general method may further comprise the step ofestablishing a substantially elongated, substantially cross-sectionallydrop-shaped, deflated bladder fold membrane insert element 2 around atleast a portion of the bend resistant deflated bladder fold creationfacilitation element, which step may be performed before the step offolding at least a portion of at least one elastomeric layer 207 aroundthe bend resistant deflated bladder fold creation facilitation element201. The general method may further comprise the step of establishing aclamp retention facilitation insert element 1068 (which is any insertthat serves to enhance the clamp retention or any element by providingsome sort of obstruction that counteracts forces that the clamped partmay be subjected to) around at least a portion of the bend resistantdeflated bladder fold creation facilitation element 201. This step maybe performed before the step of folding at least a portion of at leastone elastomeric layer 207 around the bend resistant deflated bladderfold creation facilitation element 201.

Referring to FIG. 19, rigid frame 211 positions wires 201, which aretensioned by tightening element 204. A release ply 206, which bonds toan inner liner 207, is shown secured to wires 201. An opening 212 isleft in each of the four corners of release ply 206 to allow the innerliner 207 to bond to itself and form a seal at each corner of theinflatable article. First reinforcement ply 208 is later wrapped aroundinner liner 207, followed by second reinforcement ply 209, followed byouter cover 210.

Referring now to FIG. 20 stress relief inserts 2 are positioned on wires201. Inflatable membrane 3 is wrapped tightly around stress reliefinserts 2.

Referring now to FIG. 23, wires 201 position release ply 206 which inturn defines a rectangular box shape to which subsequent plies may beadded. Note that the release ply 206 does not extend into corner areas212 so that said corner areas 212 may bond closed and provide apermanent seal during the vulcanization process.

Referring to FIG. 27, edge defining wires 212 may be attached to edgedefining wires 201 and may be configured to limit the deflection of edgedefining wires 201.

Referring to FIG. 28, support frame 211 positions wires 201 secured bytightening means 204. The set 229 of three parallel wires 201 providefor locating an auxiliary feature such as the hinge flap insert 27depicted in FIG. 24.

Referring to FIG. 29, a single wire rope 228 may be used to providelocation control of all four edges of inflatable article 218. Tighteningmeans (or, perhaps even, tension element) 304, such as an air cylinder,in combination with fixed attachments 214 may be used to keep the wirerope 228 tensioned. Rings 223 may be used to connect the adjacent runsof wire rope 228 at the corners of the inflatable article 218.

Referring to FIG. 30, inflatable article 318 is positioned within mold314. Grooves 315 in mold 314 may be used to help keep stress reliefinsert 2 in position in mold after positioning wires 201 (in otherfigures) are withdrawn from holes 5. Alternatively, a groove similar togroove 315 may be provided on only one side of such a mold.Alternatively a flat tool in more or less continuous contact with theflat surface of inflatable article 318 with a beveled edge may be used.

Referring to FIG. 31, bias ply reinforcement layer 222 is shown inposition relative to wires 201 before said reinforcement layer 222 isfolded around said wires 201.

Referring to FIG. 32, air fitting 216, such as a standard double endedbarbed hose nipple, may be located on tube 217 which is in turn locatedon wire 201. This may be used to secure the air fitting 216 in itscorrect position relative to inflatable article 318.

A water impoundment apparatus that may accommodate overtop traffic maycomprise an inflatable water impoundment element actuator element 2000(e.g. an inflatable actuator); an inflatable actuator-to-foundationattachment element 1032 to which the inflatable water impoundmentelement actuator element is responsive and that comprises across-sectionally-enlarged, inflatable actuator-to-foundation clampretention improvement element 2001 (which may be a wedge-shapedinflatable actuator-to-foundation clamp retention element 1021 orinclude a circular cross-sectional shaped (such as a comma-type),inflatable actuator-to-foundation clamp retention enhancement elementinsert 21, as but a few examples); an overtop trafficable waterimpoundment element 401 (such as a water control gate that when loweredcan support overhead traffic of at least one of a variety of types)responsive to the inflatable water impoundment element actuator element2000; a flexible fiber reinforced hinge element (which may be an S-typeflexible hinge 2002, an integrated figure eight flexible hinge 2003, amodular figure eight flexible hinge 2004, a W-type flexible hinge 2005,and a compression hinge 2006) to which the overtop trafficable waterimpoundment element is responsive; a hinge-to-impoundment elementattachment element 2007 (which is any element that serves to enableattachment of the flexible fiber reinforced hinge to the impoundmentelement) responsive to the flexible fiber reinforced hinge element; anda hinge-to-foundation attachment element 2008 (which is any element thatserves to attach the opposite side of the hinge to the foundation, whichmay be an abutting roadway, walkway, railway track support, as but a fewexamples) to which the flexible fiber reinforced hinge element isresponsive, wherein an axis of rotation of the overtop trafficable waterimpoundment element 401 (which may precisely coincide with that of thehinge) is substantially at an overtop trafficable water impoundmentelement end 2011, and wherein the overtop trafficable water impoundmentelement 401 has a flush upper trafficable surface 2012 (meaning that theovertop trafficable water impoundment element is not only flush alongits trafficed length, but also that its traffic direction orthogonalends 2013 are flush with the proximate non-impoundment structuresurfaces). Note that the attachment element may include a clamp. Flushneed not mean entirely without gaps, ridges and/or valleys, but merelythat those that may exist are not substantial enough to impair or renderunsafe the passage of traffic along that surface. The apparatus mayfurther comprise an elastomeric hinge cover which may substantiallysurround at least the upper half of the hinge (such as the integratedfigure eight flexible hinge). The flexible fiber of the flexible fiberreinforced hinge element may be a flexible fiber selected from the groupof flexible fibers consisting of twisted cord, wire rope, braided rope,knitted fabric, woven fabric, twisted cord embedded in an elastomer,wire rope embedded in an elastomer, braided rope embedded in anelastomer, knitted fabric embedded in an elastomer, woven fabricembedded in an elastomer, twisted cord covered with an elastomer, wirerope covered with an elastomer, braided rope covered with an elastomer,knitted fabric covered with an elastomer, and woven fabric covered withan elastomer, each of which may be further covered in or embedded by orlayered with an elastomer, as but a few examples. The apparatus mayfurther comprise a surface hinge cover 422 that is pivotally responsiveto the overtop trafficable water impoundment element and that may serveto provide a flush surface above the hinge and that may pivot in orderto not obstruct rotation of the impoundment element 401. The overtoptrafficable water impoundment element 401 may be an overtop vehicularlytrafficable water impoundment element 2015 (meaning that it can supportvehicular traffic), an overtop pedestrian trafficable water impoundmentelement (meaning that it can support pedestrian traffic), and an overtoprailway trafficable water impoundment element (meaning that it cansupport railroad traffic). The inflatable water impoundment elementactuator element 2000 may be a downflow-side positioned 2017 or animpounded water-side (or upflow) positioned (with respect to theimpoundment element) inflatable water impoundment element actuatorelement (see FIGS. 120 and 121). Further, an excessive impoundmentelement rotation prevention element, or raised water impoundment elementposition maintenance element 421 (which acts to prevent undesiredexcessive rotation of impoundment element) may be at least onestationary excessive rotation obstruction stop (as shown in FIG. 122),which may be any impoundment element rotation obstructing part, perhapslocated on foundation parts (such as an abutments) adjacent theimpoundment structure in a raised position. In the configuration wherethe inflatable water impoundment element actuator element is animpounded water-side positioned inflatable water impoundment elementactuator element (see FIGS. 120 and 121), the overtop trafficable waterimpoundment may be a floatable overtop trafficable water impoundmentelement, or the apparatus may further comprise a floatable waterimpoundment element actuator element to which the overtop trafficablewater impoundment element is floatably responsive (meaning the buoyancyof the floatable actuator element causes the water impoundment elementto raise. This floatable water impoundment element actuator element maybe established substantially beneath the overtop trafficable waterimpoundment element and/or it may form a part of the overtop trafficablewater impoundment element.

Another water impoundment element apparatus may comprise a floatablyraisable overtop trafficable water impoundment element (see FIGS. 125and 126) (which, e.g., is a water impoundment element such as a gatethat can support overhead traffic in a lowered configuration and whichcan be raised by a floatable element); a flexible fiber reinforced hingeelement to which the floatably raisable, overtop trafficable waterimpoundment element is responsive; a hinge-to-impoundment elementattachment element 2007 responsive to the flexible fiber reinforcedhinge element; a float element 2009 (which may form a part of overtoptrafficable water impoundment element or which may be located externallyof the overtop trafficable water impoundment element) and ahinge-to-foundation attachment element 2008 to which the flexible fiberreinforced hinge element is responsive, wherein the floatably raisable,overtop trafficable water impoundment element has a flush upper surface.The axis of rotation of the floatably raisable overtop trafficable waterimpoundment element (which may coincide precisely with that of thehinge) may be substantially at a water impoundment element end 2010.Further, the floatably raisable, overtop trafficable water impoundmentelement may be a floatably raisable, overtop vehicularly trafficablewater impoundment element, a floatably raisable, overtop pedestriantrafficable water impoundment element, and/or a floatably raisable,overtop railway trafficable water impoundment element. Thehinge-to-impoundment element attachment element 2007 may comprise across-sectionally enlarged clamp retention improvement element 2001(which may be a wedge-shaped clamp retention element 1021 or include acircular cross-sectional shaped 21, such as a comma-type clamp retentionenhancement element insert 21, as but a few examples). Similarly, thehinge-to-foundation attachment element 2008 may comprise across-sectionally enlarged clamp retention improvement element 2001. Theflat element may form a part of the overtop trafficable waterimpoundment element or it may be located externally to it.

Another water impoundment apparatus, one which may be particularlyadapted for protection from sea-surge flooding, may comprise aninflatable water impoundment element actuator element (see FIGS. 122through 124); an inflatable actuator-to-foundation attachment element towhich the inflatable water impoundment element actuator element isresponsive and that comprises a cross-sectionally-enlarged, inflatableactuator-to-foundation clamp retention improvement element 2020; a waterimpoundment element 2021 responsive to the inflatable water impoundmentelement actuator element 2000; a flexible fiber reinforced hinge elementto which the water impoundment element 2021 is responsive; ahinge-to-impoundment element attachment element 2007 responsive to theflexible fiber reinforced hinge element and a hinge-to-foundationattachment element 2008 to which the flexible fiber reinforced hingeelement 2025 is responsive, wherein an axis of rotation of the waterimpoundment element (which may coincide precisely with an axis ofrotation of the hinge) is substantially at a water impoundment elementend. The inflatable water impoundment element actuator element may be aseaward positioned inflatable water impoundment element actuatorelement, or a river-ward positioned inflatable water impoundment elementactuator element.

It is important to note that the overtop trafficable gate can be made ofnumerous and various composite materials such as fiberglass, trusses,resins, and/or concrete with composite resin as but a few examples, inorder to reduce weight and road salt effects and to improve strength,e.g.

Referring now to FIG. 36, gate panel 401 may be fixed by hinge means 48to a fixed frame 406 which may be embedded in roadway 407. Actuatorelement such as air bladder 333 may support gate panel 401 in the raisedposition against the pressure of water 492.

Referring now to FIG. 37 a detailed cross section is shown, in thegate-lowered position, of the hinge shown in the gate assembly of FIG.36. Gate panel 401 may incorporate slots 402 through which cord 45 maypass in a “FIG. 8” pattern, thereby connecting the gate panel 401 to afixed element 49. Fixed element 49 may have rounded edges so as to notcut cord 45 and may be fixed to embedded frame 406 by mounting bolts416.

Referring now to FIG. 39, gate panel 401 is filled with concrete 415 andis shown in its lowered position. The outer perimeter of the gate panel401 may be defined by frame members 413 and 414 as well as correspondingsimilar members on the ends of the gate panel not shown. Fixed hingeelement 409 may be connected to movable hinge element 412 by flexiblecords identified in FIG. 41.

Referring now to FIG. 38, gate panel 401 is shown in its raisedposition. Low friction surface 427 is shown secured to the concrete byanchor assemblies 450. Anchor bolt 416 may secure clamp bar 417, whichmay in turn secure air bladder 333 by its enlarged end 418.

Referring now to FIGS. 40 and 41, FIG. 40 shows a plan view of a gateassembly hinge; FIG. 41 shows an edge on side view of a gate assemblyhinge. Fixed structural member 409 may be connected to movablestructural member 442 by means of flexible tensile member 445 which maypass through rounded edge slots 402 in structural members 409 and 442.Upper elastomeric cover 412 may be bonded to structural members 409 and442 as well as flexible tensile member 445. Flexible tensile member 445may also be bonded to structural members 409 and 442 except whererolling contact may occur between structural members 409 and 442.

Referring now to FIG. 42, flexible tensile member 445 may be wrappedaround tubular members 438 and bonded thereto in the region withoutrolling action 440 but not bonded to the tubular members 438 in theregion of rolling contact 441. Tubular members 438 may be connected tostructural members 439 which may in turn be part of or attach to theremainder of the hinged and fixed structures.

Referring now to FIGS. 43 and 44 showing a cross section of a gateassembly in the raised and lowered positions respectively, a gate panel401 is shown filled with concrete 415 and attached to foundation 426 byanchor bolts 416 holding clamps 437 which may in turn hold hinge flap436, to which gate panel 401 may be connected. Hinged cover 422 incombination with filler material 423 may be used to provide a smoothsurface flush with roadway 407 and gate panel 401.

Referring now to FIGS. 45 and 46, railroad rails 429 are fixed to gatepanel 401. Rail segment 430 is pivotably mounted to the foundation bybracket 435. Gate panel 401 is supported against rail loads by deflatedair bladder 403 and bearing pads 425. Restraining chain 421 limits themovement of gate panel 401.

Referring to FIGS. 47 and 48, gate panel 401 is shown in its raisedposition supported by air bladder 3 and restrained by restraining means421.

Referring to FIG. 49, gate panel 401, in its raised position, issupported by air bladder 333 and attached to embedded frame 406 by hinge448. Frame 406 is embedded flush with roadway 407.

Referring now to FIGS. 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, and 62, gate panel 401may be supported by air bladder 333 against side seal 56. Fixed hingeelement 61 may retain enlarged edge of air bladder 333 in groovecomprising frame 506, groove element 51 and screed 52. Fixed hingeelement 61 may be secured to embedded frame 506 by fastening means 55.Seal 56 may be secured to wall 59 by retainer 57 which may in turn besecured by fasteners 58. Connection block-out 54 may be an integral partof the embedded frame shown in FIG. 60. The embedded frame 506 of FIG.60 may comprise upper edge 560, frame elements, frame element 51, screed52, and air connection block-out 54. Referring to FIG. 61, an alternatedesign of enlarged air bladder edge is show in cross-section. Wedges 62may retain reinforcement layers 63 of air bladder 333.

Referring now to FIG. 110 (gate raised) and FIG. 111 (gate lowered), adrive-over flood control gate in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention is shown. Gate panel 914 may be actuated by airbladder 333. When the gate 914 is in the lowered position, it maytransmit traffic loads through air bladder 333 to foundation portion426. Shims, cut from rubber sheet for example, may be used to facilitateuniform load transfer. In this manner, vibration and noise levels may beminimized while gate cost and weight may be kept at reasonable levels.Hinge element 90 may preferably be manufactured from reinforced rubbermaterials. Hinge element clamping portions 92, 91, an 914 a maypreferably be shaped to place the hinge pivot axis as high as possibleto minimize tensile stresses in hinge element 90 while providing a flatupper surface which may be safe for pedestrian and vehicular trafficwith the gate panel 914 lowered. Seal element may be used to seal theperiphery of gate panel 914, thereby minimizing the intrusion of dirt,sand, water, road salt, etc. which might shorten the life or reduce thereliability of the system.

An impounded water control system that involves a movable actuator maycomprise a plurality of water gate elements (such as water gate panels)614 a, 614 b, 614 c; a translatable, water gate actuator element 612repositionably locatable substantially beneath the plurality of watergate elements; a reposition element (which can be used to relocate thewater gate actuator element under different water gate elements) 608 towhich the translatable, water gate actuator element 612 is operationallyresponsive; and a plurality of support elements 607 (which may serve tomaintain a raised water gate in a raised position, thus allowing thetranslatable, water gate actuator element 612 to be relocated beneathanother water gate element in order to raise it), each to which at leastone individual gate element of the plurality of water gate elements isresponsive. The translatable water gate actuator element 612 maycomprise two vertically stacked water gate actuator elements 612 a, 612b (which may be inflatable) in at least one embodiment. The repositionelement 608 may comprise a water gate actuator reposition hose assembly608 or any other type of system, perhaps including a guide or track forthe translatable water gate actuator element, that can be operated tomove the translatable water gate actuator element as desired. Theplurality of support elements may comprise at least one strut element,which may comprise an upper strut member and a lower strut memberpivotally responsive to the upper strut member by a horizontallylongitudinal torque tube adjoining at least two adjacent strut elements.

Referring now to FIG. 63, gate panel 614 a is fixed by hinge means 601to a spillway 605 and is depicted in its lowered position, whichposition is required for the efficient passage of flood flows. Gatepanel 614 b is depicted in its raised position in association with anair bladder actuator 612 comprising upper chamber 612 a and lowerchamber 612 b. Gate panels 614 c and 614 d are depicted in their raisedpositions where they are kept raised by struts 607. The actuator 612 isable to be positioned under any gate panel by means of hose assembly608. Hose assembly 608 serves as a positioning cable which passes aroundpulleys 608 b, 608 c, 608 d, and 608 e. Pulley 608 e is connected to adrive mechanism 608 f. Access pit 609 within abutment or pier 611 allowsfor repair or replacement of actuator 612 away from flows over spillway605. Although the preferred actuating means is a dual chambered airbladder 612 as shown in FIG. 63, alternative lifting devices such asscrew jacks or hydraulic cylinders may be used, if they are configuredto be of sufficiently low profile to fit under the lowered gate panels.

Referring now to FIG. 66, a detail of the same arrangement of equipmentas FIG. 63 is depicted.

Referring now to FIG. 67, gate panel 614 can be seen to be supported bystrut 607, which strut support means is conventional and is by itselfnot part of the inventive technology. The air bladder 612 comprisingchambers 612 a and 612 b may be fixed from moving downstream by embed604, while gate panel 614 may be fixed to the spillway 605 by hingemeans 601. Positioning hose 608, which could also be wire rope, orcombination of wire rope and hose, may move through conduit 608 a in adirection opposite to the movement of the actuating means such as airbladder 612.

Referring now to FIG. 68, depicts the same arrangement of equipment asFIG. 68, but with the gate panel 614 in the lowered position.

Referring now to FIG. 69, another embodiment of the present invention isshown wherein gate panel 614 e is held in its raised position by strutmeans comprised of elements 607 d, 607 g, and 607 f.

Referring now to FIG. 71, the embodiment of FIG. 69 is shown with anactuating air bladder 612 in its inflated configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 70, the gate panel of FIG. 69, is shown in itslowered position where its top surface is flush with the top edges offoundation. This flush surface can provide a roadway, walkway, orrailroad bed surface which may render this configuration eminentlysuitable for use as a floodwater barrier in lieu of permanent immovableconcrete flood walls or earthen levees. The strut means depictedcomprises upper elements 607 d coordinated by torque tube 607 g andpivotably connected to lower elements 607 f. Although two support pointsare shown for gate panels 614 f, 614 g and 614 h, lesser or greaternumbers of support points may be used as economics and engineeringconsiderations dictate.

Referring now to FIG. 72, the embodiment of FIG. 70 is shown with airbladder 612 in its deflated configuration.

Referring now to FIGS. 73 and 74, the embodiment of FIGS. 69, 70, 71,and 72 is again shown from downstream (the flood protected side) andupstream (the flooded side) respectively. Gate panel 614 f is shownlowered. Gate panel 614 g is shown raised with an actuating air bladder612 beneath. Gate panels 614 h and 614 i are shown raised and supportedby strut assemblies 607. The folding of upper strut members 607 drelative to lower strut members 607 f may be coordinated by torque tube607 g.

Another water control apparatus may involve concrete gate panels and maycomprise a concrete water control gate panel body element 401; a slidefriction reduced actuator-side water control gate panel surface element3001 (a smoothed concrete surface or a polyethylene surface, e.g., toreduce sliding friction with an actuator such as, e.g., a water gatepanel actuator bladder) responsive to said concrete water control gatepanel body element; and a horizontal axis rotation hinge-to-water gatepanel attachment element 2007 (that allows attachment of the concretegate panel to a horizontal axis rotation hinge) fixedly positioned at anoverflow orthogonal installed water gate panel bottom edge and to whichsaid concrete water control gate panel body element is responsive. Theslide friction reduced actuator-side water control gate panel surfaceelement may be a downstream installed water control gate panel surfaceelement. The apparatus may further comprise an elastomeric horizontalaxis rotation hinge element. The horizontal axis rotation hinge-to-watergate panel attachment element may comprise a concrete water control gatepanel body encased attachment element. The concrete water control gatepanel body element may be a fiber or rebar or post-tensioned rodreinforced concrete water control gate panel body element. An associatedmethod may involve the step of creating a concrete water control gatepanel body element 401, establishing a slide friction reduced,actuator-side water control gate panel surface element 2007; andestablishing a horizontal axis rotation hinge-to-water gate panelattachment element 3002, each of which may be performed at a concretewater gate panel installation site (thus obviating transportation of aheavy, bulky item).

The generally preferred material for certain gate panels 14 may bereinforced concrete, however, steel, fiberglass, or other constructionmay be preferred for certain projects. The use of reinforced concretemay allow for simple field (on-site) fabrication of large gate panelsthat might be difficult to transport if they were manufactured atanother location. The preferred method of casting the concrete panelsmay be to insert concrete form pieces into the foundation to form theunderside of gate panel, and then place the concrete with any necessaryreinforcement, embedding movable hinge element into the gate panel,while fixing wire rope to hinge tube.

Referring now to FIGS. 75, 76, 77, and 78, an automatic tripping systemis shown. Strut 707 h, which may be tubular, supports gate panel 714against the pressure of upstream water. The lower end of strut 707 h issupported against a step in spillway 705 by rocking shoe 707 k. Rockingshoe 707 k is connected to a paddle 707 j by connecting rod 707 i. Highwater acting on paddle 707 j acts to pull connecting rod 707 i androtate rocking shoe 7 k toward a horizontal position, thereby releasingstrut 707 h and causing gate panel 714 to lower. In this manner multiplegate panels may be automatically lowered to protect against upstreamflooding. Actuators with spillway 705 could optionally be used to forcerocking shoes 707 k to their horizontal positions, thereby lowering gatepanels 714 by remote control.

Referring now to FIGS. 84 through 92, an improved air fitting (or moregenerally, a pressurized fluid inlet element) 965 in accordance with oneaspect of the present invention is shown. Air fitting 965 lacks damagingor damageable protrusions. Said fitting 965 may preferably be locatedbetween reinforcing plies 806, 807, and 808 within the lower membrane ofan inflatable air bladder as herein disclosed.

Said air fitting 965 may preferably be generally disk shaped and mayfeature a connection means such as pipe threads 865 b at a centrallylocated through-hole.

Said air fitting 965 may feature a tapered profile 965 c which may limitundesirable changes in direction of reinforcing fabric plies 806, 807and 808. Excessive changes in direction of reinforcing fabric mightotherwise cause de-lamination of the layers of said reinforcing fromeach other or dis-bonding of said reinforcing from the embedded airfitting 965.

Said air fitting 965 may feature a rounded outer edge 965 a which mayprevent said fitting from cutting aforementioned reinforcing fabric.

The radius R of said rounded outer edges may be sufficiently small,0.0625 inches for example, such that the formation of voids at location965 d in the elastomer and the direct contact of reinforcing cords withsaid air fitting 965 may be avoided.

Air fitting 965 may be comprised of or coated with a material whichbonds to the elastomeric body of said inflatable bladder duringvulcanization.

Air fitting (or more generally, pressurized fluid inlet apparatus) 965may comprise a pressurized fluid conveyer engagement element 3050 (whichelement can engage in some manner a pressurized fluid conveyer such as ahose or pipe); a thickness enhanced interior edge element 3051 (whichelement is an interior edge portion of the apparatus that is thickerthan the remaining portion of the apparatus); a thickness reduced,exterior edge element 3052 (which is the radially exterior edge portionthat is thinner than the thickness enhanced interior edge element) thatis installed configuration contactable with an inflatable membraneseparation curve 3053 proximate membrane 3054 (which is the inflatablemembrane(s) that separates at the outer edge of the apparatus when thecontact-adjacent layers diverge to pass around the apparatus); and athickness varying body element 3055 located between said thicknessenhanced interior edge element and said thickness reduced exterior edgeelement (which element forms the body of the apparatus and connects theexterior edge element to the interior edge element 3052 of theapparatus. The thickness enhanced interior edge element 3051 may be athickness enhanced, pressurized fluid conveyer engagement elementproximate, interior edge element 3057 in the case where the pressurizedfluid conveyer engagement element 3050 is located at or near the centerof the apparatus (as is the case if the pressurized fluid conveyerengagement element 3050 is a threaded engagement element 3060). Thepressurized fluid inlet apparatus 3061 may also operate as a pressurizedfluid outlet apparatus. The thickness reduced exterior edge element maybe substantially circular (a descriptive term that applies even if thereare notches 3062 in the exterior edge element). Further, the thicknessreduced exterior edge element may be externally rounded 3064 to have anexterior edge radius of curvature 3065 that is sufficiently small topreclude void formation at the inflatable membrane separation curve 3053(e.g., the radius of curvature may be approximately 0.0625 inches. Thethickness reduced exterior edge element may also be rectangular (adescriptive term that includes square) in plan view. The thicknessvarying body element need not contact the interior edge element and/orthe exterior edge element in order to be between the two and may have afrustral (truncated conical) internal (meaning closer to the inflatablecavity of the bladder) inflatable membrane contacting edge 3058 and anoppositely facing planar (substantially flat), annular, externalinflatable membrane contacting edge 3059 (meaning this edge is towardsthe external atmosphere). Importantly, it is the above-mentioned shapeof the apparatus that enables it to be positioned betweencontact-adjacent layers of an inflatable article, thereby resulting in apressurized fluid inlet apparatus that is recessed from the outersurface of the inflatable article and that consequently can not bedamaged by (nor damage) external parts over which, e.g., the bladder mayslide.

Related methods are also included in the ambit of the inventivetechnology. One such method of conveying pressurized fluid to and froman inflatable article comprises the steps of: dimensioning (e.g.,shaping as, e.g., by molding) a pressurized fluid inlet element 3061having a pressurized fluid inlet element hole 3070; establishing thepressurized fluid inlet element 3061 between two contact-adjacent(meaning side-by-side and touching in sections) inflatable articlelayers (or inflatable membrane layers) 3071; and establishing aninflatable article layers hole co-axial with the pressurized fluid inletelement hole. The layers may be elastomeric or reinforced elastomericlayers; the inflatable article layers hole may thus be an elastomericinflatable layers hole.

An abutment plate apparatus (or water gate panel slide frictionabatement apparatus) may comprise a polymeric plate element 4000dimensioned to contact a planar abutment seal face (which may bevertical, e.g.) 4001 throughout a possible water gate position edgesweep 4002 (a range of possible contact motion); and aplate-to-foundation surface attachment element 4020 (such as fastenerholes 4004). The polymeric plate element 4000 may be a polyethyleneplate element (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene plate elementand/or high density polyethylene plate element); may be a dark coloredpolymeric plate element 4008 (for thermal heating benefits); may be ahigh density polymeric plate element and/or an ultra-high molecularweight polymeric plate element); and may be a reinforced polymeric plateelement (such as fiberglass) as but a few examples.

Referring now to FIGS. 93, 94, 95, 96, 97 and 98 an abutment plate 966of UHMW polyethylene and its associated anchor system is shown. Saidabutment plate 966 may feature low thermal conductivity, low iceadhesion, and a low coefficient of friction against the associated gatepanel seals. Hole spacing dimensions X (of horizontally aligned fastenerholes), and Y (of vertically aligned fastener holes) relative tothickness T may preferably be kept below 20 to 1, or 12 to 1, andpreferably at 8 to 1. The horizontal or vertical fastener holeseparation distances divided by a polymeric plate element thickness (orthe related horizontal fastener hole separation distance to platethickness ratio and the vertical fastener hole separation distance toplate thickness ratio) may be less than approximately 20 (or less thanapproximately 20:1 expressed as a ratio), less than approximately 12 (orless than approximately 12:1 expressed as a ratio), or approximatelyequal to eight (or approximately 8:1 expressed as a ratio). A relatedindex, the average, nearest fastener hole separation distance (measureof the average of the nearest fastener hole separation distances)divided by the thickness of the polymeric plate element (or the relatedaverage nearest fastener hole separation distance to plate thicknessratio) may be less than approximately 20 (or less than approximately20:1 expressed as a ratio), less than approximately 12 (or less thanapproximately 20:1 expressed as a ratio), or approximately equal toeight (or approximately 8:1 expressed as a ratio). Of course, todetermine the average, nearest fastener hole separation distance, allnearest fastener hole separation distances are measured and an averageis calculated from the total. The method may further comprise the stepof recessing edges of fastener holes in order to retain a plate elementsurface flush, low thermal conductivity material, fastener recessionfiller.

All fastener holes 4004 may have recessed fastener hole edges 4005 inorder to accommodate a plate element surface flush, low thermalconductivity material, fastener recession filler, which may be, e.g., aplate element surface flush polyethylene, fastener recession filler.Plate element surface flush means that the filler material, asinstalled, will be level and flush with the abutment plate surface. Thepolymeric plate element may comprise a thermal plate buckling effectmitigative significant number of fastener holes (which is that number offastener holes separated by only approximately even distances that issufficient to prevent an operation impairing thermal plate bucklingunder expected operational environment conditions). The polymeric plateelement may have a thermal plate buckling effect mitigative thickness(which is the thickness that is sufficient to prevent an operationimpairing thermal plate buckling under expected operational environmentconditions). The actual thickness dimension depends on whether the plateis attached through use of a thermal plate buckling effect mitigativesignificant number of fastener holes. Possible thickness dimensions maybe approximately 15 mm and approximately 25, but others dimensions arealso possible.

The polymeric plate element may be a unitary polymeric plate 4008 (i.e.,one plate element) or may be a plurality of polymeric plates, at leasttwo of which may be adapted for separation in an installed configurationby a sealant accommodating groove 4010. Anchoring may preferably be bymeans of countersunk bolts which may engage threaded concrete anchors968. Bolts 967 may preferably be covered with a removable low thermalconductivity material such as polyethylene plugs or auto-body fillerafter installation.

Related water gate slide friction abatement method may comprise thesteps of dimensioning a polymeric material to form a substantiallyplanar polymeric plate element 4000 able to contact an abutment sealface 4015 throughout a possible water gate edge sweep 4002; andestablishing a plate-to-foundation surface attachment element 4020 towhich said substantially planar polymeric plate element 4000 isresponsive. The polymeric material may be dark-colored, ultra highmolecular weight, high density, polyethylene, or reinforced, e.g. Thepolyethylene material may be dark-colored, ultra high molecular weight,high density, or reinforced, e.g. Reinforcement may be by fiberglass,e.g. Other steps include establishing a plurality of fastener holesseparated by an average, nearest fastener hole separation distance.

One embodiment of the interpanel seal (or more generally, impoundedwater leakage prevention apparatus) 73 may comprise an interpanelseal-to-foundation clamp retention enhancement element 5001; aninterpanel seal-to-foundation clampable retention element 5002responsive to said interpanel seal-to-foundation clamp retentionenhancement element 5001; an upper, overflow orthogonal water gate paneledge conforming water seal hinge element 5003 responsive to saidinterpanel seal-to-foundation clampable retention element 5002; and aninterpanel seal element 5004 fixedly attachable to a first edgeproximate portion 5006 of a first water gate panel 5007 and a secondedge proximate portion 5008 of a second water gate panel 5009, whereinsaid first edge proximate portion 5006 of said first water gate panel5007 is situated adjacent to said second edge proximate portion 5008 ofsaid second water gate panel 5009 and said first water gate panel 5007is situated adjacent to said second water gate panel 5009. As is thecase with all clamp retention enhancement elements, the interpanelseal-to-foundation clamp retention enhancement element 5002 may be anexpanded cross-sectional area part 5010 (maybe having a comma-shapedinsert 5011) that serves to enhance the clamp action by providing anobstruction to movement of the clamped surface (of course, theinterpanel seal-to-foundation clamp retention enhancement element 5001,as well as the interpanel seal-to-foundation clampable retention element5002 operate to attach the interpanel seal 73 to the foundation 5012,which may be, e.g., a dam spillway surface). The upper, overfloworthogonal water gate panel edge conforming water seal hinge element5003 is the part of the apparatus that acts as the hinge and conforms tothe overflow orthogonal (upstream, e.g.) water gate panel edge 5016that, in an installed configuration, is the upper of the two upstream,e.g., water gate panel edges 5017. The interpanel seal element fixedlyattachable to a first edge proximate portion 5006 of a first water gatepanel 5007 and a second edge proximate portion 5008 of a second watergate panel 5009 is the part that accomplishes most of the sealingbetween two adjacent (in an installed configuration) water gate panels(the first and the second water gate panel). The edge proximate portionof the water gate panels are those portions of the water gate panelsthat are near the edges of different water gate panels that are adjacentone another in an installed configuration. Note that the interpanel sealelement may be a substantially elongated interpanel seal element(meaning it has a length).

The profile(s) (cross sectional shape and size) of interpanel sealattachment elements may be approximately the same as the profiles ofadjacent (or installed-configuration-adjacent) attachment elements (suchas the installed-configuration-adjacent inflatable water gateactuator-to-foundation clamp retention enhancement element (see FIG.100), or the installed-configuration-adjacent water gateactuator-to-foundation clampable retention element (see FIG. 100).Further, parts may be dimensioned to fit compression seal-tight againstadjacent impounded water seal elements (see FIG. 100) upon installation,meaning that an interference fit is created by sizing the parts so thattheir abutting edges compress against one another during installation.The term compression seal tight can also mean applying enough clampingpressure so that the clampable retention element 5002 below the clamp5020 expands to tightly fit against an abutting installed clampretention element. An overflow orthogonal, water gate actuator hingeflap element adjacent portion of the interpanel seal element 5004 (thatportion of the interpanel seal element that is adjacent the water gateactuator hinge flap element in an installed configuration) may bedimensioned to fit compression seal tight against aninstalled-configuration-adjacent inflatable water gate actuator hingeflap element. The foundation may be a spillway, e.g., and thus theinterpanel seal-to-foundation clampable retention element 5002 may be aninterpanel seal-to-spillway clampable retention element 5002. The upper,overflow orthogonal water gate panel edge conforming water seal hingeelement 5003 may comprise an overflow orthogonal, vertical, interpanelseal-to-foundation clamp face abutting, corner-augmented edge element5050, which is an edge of the hinge element that is augmented so as toform a corner 5051 that, in an installed configuration, abuts anoverflow orthogonal (downstream, e.g.) vertical face 1051 of aninterpanel seal-to-foundation clamp 5020. Ideally, this edge elementwill be configured to abut substantially all proximate portions of theoverflow orthogonal, interpanel seal to foundation clamp face 1051 so asto effectively exclude seal and clamp operation compromising sand andother flow entrained particles and debris. A related method may includethe step of corner augmenting (adding, e.g., elastomeric material toform a corner) an upper overflow orthogonal edge of the interpanel sealhinge element to conform to an overflow orthogonal, vertical interpanelseal-to-foundation clamp face edge.

The interpanel seal element 5004 may project beyond a gate paneldownstream limit to form a nappe breaker 5053 (which serves to aerateany nappe that might form, thus avoiding the negative effects ofoscillating nappes). This nappe break element may be an overtop flowmode dynamic object impact flexible nappe breaker (see FIG. 99) and maybe, e.g., a reinforced elastomeric nappe breaker. The term overtop flowmode dynamic object impact flexible nappe breaker means that a nappebreak element is made sufficiently flexible so as to absorb and flexwithout failure or substantial plastic deformation impacts from dynamicobjects that one would expect to find flowing in an overtop flow.

Rubber rafts and other small water craft (with and without passengers)are also possible items that one might expect to find flowing with anovertop flow. Here, the concern is for the safety of the passengers, anda sufficiently flexible nappe breaker (or one responsive to an impactflexure element) will flex when struck by a rubber raft instead ofpuncturing or cutting it as many conventional nappe breakers will. Arelated method may involve installation projecting (resulting inprojection upon installation) the substantially elongated interpanelseal element beyond a gate panel downstream limit to create a nappebreak element.

Referring now to FIGS. 99 and 100, a dam spillway gate installation inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention is shown inperspective view and exploded view respectively. Inter-panel seal 73 (atype of impounded water leakage prevention apparatus) may have the sameprofile under clamp bar 76 (the interpanel seal-to-foundation clampableretention element 5002) as does air bladder clampable retention element(the inflatable water gate actuator-to-foundation clampable retentionelement). The adjoining faces of air bladder 903 and inter-panel seal 73as well as the adjoining faces of air bladder 903 and abutment seal 75and the adjoining faces of abutment plate 966 and abutment seal 75 maypreferably be shaped to fit tightly, perhaps with a slight interferencefit, during installation. In this manner the subsequent application ofclamping force from clamp bar 76 may cause the aforementioned adjoiningelements to expand tightly against each other in a horizontal direction,thereby creating tightly sealed joints. The sealing of said joints maybe supplemented by the use of thin flexible waterproof sheets (or thinwaterproof seal supplement sheets) 70 and 74.

Referring now to FIG. 101, a cross section of inter-panel seal 73 ofFIGS. 99 and 100 is shown. This inter-panel seal may function best if itis identical in profile to its associated, adjacent air bladder.

Referring now to FIG. 104, a perspective view of the interpanel seal 73of FIGS. 99 and 101 is shown.

Referring now to FIGS. 102 and 103, an abutment seal 75 of FIGS. 99 and100 is shown. The abutment seal apparatus (or impounded water sealapparatus) 75 may comprise an upper, impounded water seal element 6000that is fixedly attachable to a foundation slide surface adjacent watergate panel 6001, which seal element itself features a flexible flapportion (or more generally a foundation slide surface adjacent,impounded water seal element) 80 which may be held tightly against itscorresponding abutment plate or abutment (or more generally foundationslide surface) 6002 by a combination of water pressure and possible alsoelastic action; a water gate panel conformable seal element 6003; and alongitudinal corner seal element 6004 and a thickness reduced,hingeable, upper, overflow orthogonal water gate panel edge conformingseal element 6006, and an abutment seal-to-foundation attachment element82. The term foundation slide surface 6002 is intended to include anymaterial that, as either part of the foundation or as an attachment toit (e.g., an abutment plate), is the surface against which the impoundedwater seal (more specifically the foundation slide surface adjacent,impounded water seal element 80) slides during rotation of the watergate panel. Note that the foundation in a dam setting is the body of thedam (usually concrete) such as the spillway or the abutment; in the caseof much smaller water impoundment application, the foundation is thebody (underlying and side). In any water control application, thefoundation is essentially the solid body parts that exist before theaddition of supplemental water control parts and is what thesupplemental parts may be attached to. The elastic action may beenhanced by the provision of reinforcing cords 79. A flexible portion(or termed differently, a thickness reduced, hingeable, upper, overfloworthogonal water gate panel edge conforming water seal element) 81allows the abutment seal to bend with its associated bladder hinge flap(portion 862 in FIG. 81). Portion 82 may preferably match its associatedair bladder in thickness (D) and length (B). The abutment seal apparatusmay further comprise an abutment seal-to-foundation attachment element82 which serves to attach it to the foundation such as the spillway of adam. This attachment element may comprise an abutment seal-to-foundationclampable retention element (which may be substantially flat, e.g.) andan abutment seal-to-foundation clamp retention enhancement element. Notethat the abutment seal-to-foundation clampable retention element 6005 istermed substantially flat if it has a substantially flat upper or lowersurface (a terminological definition that applies to any substantiallyflat clampable retention element). Flexible flap portion 80 mayincorporate a low friction facing material such as polyethylene for useagainst abutments faced with stainless steel or epoxy for example. Saidfacing may be unnecessary in the case of UHMW (ultra-high molecularweight) polyethylene abutment plates. The abutment seal-to-foundationclamp retention enhancement element 6007 may have a substantiallycircular cross-sectional insert, such as a comma-type insert 21. Theabutment seal-to-foundation attachment element 82 may comprise awedge-shaped abutment seal-to-foundation clamp retention element (seerelatedly, part 10 of FIG. 10), and may be configured to have aninstalled-configuration-adjacent wedge-shaped, gate panelactuator-to-foundation attachment element profile.

The foundation slide surface adjacent, impounded water seal element maybe an abutment plate adjacent impounded water seal element (meaning itis capable of being positioned adjacent to (or is actually sopositioned) an abutment plate), or a concrete foundation slide surfaceadjacent impounded water seal element (meaning it is capable of beingpositioned adjacent to (or is actually so positioned) a concretefoundation slide surface). The abutment plate may be polymeric (such aspolyethylene, e.g.) or stainless steel, or rubber, or any low frictionwear material. Certain limitations as to the compatibility of slidingsurfaces do exist, however—polyethylene (and polymers in general) slidebest (i.e., with minimal friction) against rubber, stainless steel, andconcrete. The foundation slide surface adjacent impounded water sealelement may comprise a low friction wear impounded water seal elementthat may be a polymeric (such as polyethylene) seal element. Thepolyethylene may be an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene sealelement and/or may be a high density polyethylene seal element. Thepolymeric seal element may be co-vulcanized to a reinforced elastomercontaining EPDM (ethylene propylene diene methylene) rubber, or may beco-vulcanized to a reinforced elastomer comprising EPDM rubber andchlorobutyl. Additionally, the foundation slide surface adjacentimpounded water seal element may instead comprise a rubber seal elementor a stainless steel seal element. It may also be elastically angularlybiased, perhaps with a reinforcement ply enhanced bias, in order toimprove the seal with the foundation slide surface. The thicknessreduced, hingeable, upper, overflow orthogonal water gate panel edgeconforming seal element may comprise a vertical, overflow orthogonal,abutment seal-to-foundation clamp face abutting, corner-augmented edgeelement 6010 that may be configured to abut substantially all proximateportions of an abutment seal-to-foundation clamp face 1051. Further, thethickness reduced, hingeable, upper, overflow orthogonal water gatepanel edge conforming seal element and the abutment seal-to-foundationattachment element may be interference seal width dimensioned, meaningthat the widths of these elements may be slightly oversized (perhaps bya quarter inch, e.g.) in order to allow tight compressive fitting uponinstallation. A heat element 6012 that may be any type of heater(electric, e.g.) may be installed (perhaps by integrally vulcanizing itinto or substantially along the length of the foundation slide surfaceadjacent impounded water seal element) so that the foundation slidesurface adjacent, impounded water seal element is thermally responsiveto it and thus can prevent the formation of slide obstructing ice. Theterm substantially along the length includes substantially along only amajority portion of the length.

Referring now to FIGS. 105, 106, 107, 108, and 109, an abutment seal isshow in accordance with one aspect of the present invention which may beconfigured for use in conjunction with a wedge type clamping system asis depicted in FIG. 109. Wedge portion 84 may be configured to match theadjoining hinge member 86 in cross section. Bendable portion 81 permitsabutment seal 75 to flex with hinge member 86 as gate panel 914 islowered and raised. Reinforced portion 85 may be clamped to gate panel914. Flexible portion 80 may ride against adjoining abutment plate 966while held in a tightly sealed position by a combination of elasticforces and water pressure. Face 87 is preferably fitted to adjoininghinge member 86 with a slight interference fit. Flexible portion 80 mayfeature a low friction surface 88 comprised of UHMW polyethylene forexample. Low friction surface 88 is preferably designed to tightly fitthe adjoining abutment plate. Due to the small distance of travel ofthis portion of the abutment seal, low friction facing 88 may generallynot be required or desirable, but may be included nonetheless, incertain applications, for certain reasons.

Referring now to FIGS. 112, 113, 114 and 115, an inflatable dam (orinflatable elastomeric dam) in accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention is shown. Swirl inducing ribs 93 may be provided inalternating directions such that the direction flow of water over saidinflatable dam may be altered to include a horizontal component normalto the primary direction of flow. In combination said horizontal flowcomponents will in turn form opposing circulating flow patterns 96 and97 which include velocity components normal to the body of the inflateddam. In this manner the effect of the fin 95 may be augmented. Stableoperation may be possible at higher degrees of overtopping than would bepossible with a fin arrangement only. Stress relief shape 94 may reduceinternal stresses in the inflated dam and may increase the stiffness ofthe cantilevered fin feature 95. Inflatable dam 983 may be fixed to damspillway or foundation 995 by means of clamp 101 and spillway groove102.

A nappe aeration apparatus that avoids the nuisance and potentiallydestructive effects of oscillating or vibrating nappes while remainingresistant to destruction by debris overflowing impoundment structure andremaining relatively harmless to water craft is also within the ambit ofthe inventive technology. A nappe aeration apparatus may comprise anovertop flow mode dynamic object impact flexible nappe break element9500; and a disengagable, flexible nappe break element-to-waterimpoundment element attachment element 9501 to which said overtop flowmode dynamic object impact flexible nappe break element is responsive.The term disengagable, flexible nappe break element-to-water impoundmentelement attachment element 9501 refers to a part (which could evencomprise magnets and/or bolt holes, e.g.) that allows removal of thenappe breaker. The term overtop flow mode dynamic object impact flexiblenappe break element means that a nappe break element is madesufficiently flexible (elastically, meaning after an impact it returnssubstantially to its pre-impact configuration) so as to absorb and flexwithout failure or substantial plastic deformation impacts from dynamicobjects that one would expect to find flowing in an overtop flow. Rubberrafts and other small water craft (with and without passengers) are alsopossible items that one might expect to find flowing with an overtopflow. Here, the concern is for the safety of the passengers, and asufficiently flexible nappe breaker will flex when struck by a rubberraft instead of puncturing or cutting it as many inflexible nappebreakers will. The nappe break element may be an a reinforcedelastomeric nappe breaker.

Another nappe aeration apparatus may comprise a nappe break element9505; a disengagable nappe break element-to-water impoundment elementattachment element 9506 to which said nappe break element is responsive;and an overtop flow mode dynamic object impact flexure element 9507 towhich said nappe break element is responsive. Essentially, in thissecond apparatus, the flex upon impact is provided not by the nappebreaker itself (such type of flex would be allowed by nappe breakersmade from elastomers), but instead by a discrete flexure element such asa helical spring element or a flexible mounting stem (as but a fewexamples) to which the nappe breaker is responsive (as by attachment,e.g.) and which flexes (elastically, meaning after an impact it returnssubstantially to its pre-impact configuration) so as to absorb withoutfailure or substantial plastic deformation impacts from dynamic objectsthat one would expect to find flowing in an overtop flow. Even if whatappears to be the attachment element serves to allow flexure upon impact(e.g., in the case of a flexible stem), the attachment element isdefined to be merely that part that enables attachment (perhaps thereare fastener holes at the bottom of the stem or a surface at the bottomof the stem that can be epoxied and later removed), thus maintaining thediscreteness of the different elements of the apparatus.

An improved impounded water control system operation maintenanceapparatus may involve an excessive water gate panel rotation preventionelement that, in a storage configuration, does not aesthetically impairthe impoundment structure's (such as a dam) appearance. The improvedimpounded water control system operation maintenance apparatus maycomprise a tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panelrotation prevention element 7020 (any material that is tension strongsuch as restraining straps that are made from nylon or an elastomericmaterial or an elastomeric cord, as but a few examples, and able toprevent excessive rotation of a water gate panel); a lower, excessivegate rotation prevention element-to-foundation attachment element 7001(which serves to attach the tensionable excessive bottom-hinged watergate panel rotation prevention element to the foundation) to which thetensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotationprevention element is responsive and that is fixedly established betweenoppositely facing ends 7002 of end-proximate water gate panel actuators7003; and an excessive gate rotation prevention element-to-gate panelattachment element (which serves to attach the tensionable, excessive,bottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention element 7020 to aportion of the water gate panel 7052) responsive to the tensionable,excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention element103. The end-adjacent water gate panel actuators 7003 may beend-adjacent inflatable water gate panel actuation bladders 7005, and adownstream-most edge of the end-adjacent inflatable water gate panelactuation bladders 7006 may be located substantially at a drip plane106. Further, each of the end-proximate water gate panel actuators 7003may be responsive to at least one water gate actuator to foundationattachment element 7007, which may be a wedge-shaped, gate panelactuator-to-foundation clamp retention element 7008. In such a case, theapparatus may further comprise a wedge-shaped, gate panelactuator-to-foundation clamp retention element substitute insert 105positioned substantially between opposing ends of proximate,wedge-shaped gate panel actuator-to-foundation clamp retention elements7009. Such an insert may be termed an adjacent water gateactuator-to-foundation profile mimicking insert 105. The end-proximatewater gate panel actuators may be end-proximate water gate panelfloatation elements instead of inflatable actuators. A tensionable,excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention elementlength 7010, an upper, excessive gate rotation preventionelement-to-gate panel attachment element location 7011, and a lower,excessive gate rotation prevention element-to-foundation attachmentelement location 7012 may be correlated so that a downstream-most end ofsaid tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotationprevention element 7020 is located substantially under a water controlgate panel element 7052 in a lowered configuration (FIG. 117) thusprecluding the unsightly appearance of protruding excessive gate panelrotation prevention apparatus in a lowered configuration 104. Thetensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotationprevention element 7020 may be a tensionable, collapsible excessivebottom hinged water gate panel rotation prevention element 103, meaningthat it can be folded or telescoped or coiled, e.g., or somehow amenableto reconfiguration from its tension mode shape to a different storageconfiguration when the tension is relieved. An actuatable water gatepanel water control system (i.e., the water gate pane actuator, the gatepanels and any sealing apparatus) that further comprises any of theabove-mentioned improved impounded water control system apparatus isalso deemed within the ambit of the inventive technology.

A separate improved impounded water control system operation maintenanceapparatus that address the inventive out-of-the way configuration ofexcessive water gate panel rotation prevention elements in the area ofabutments may comprise: a tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged watergate panel rotation prevention element; a lower, excessive gate rotationprevention element-to-foundation attachment element 7012 to which saidtensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotationprevention element 7020 is responsive and that is fixedly establishedbetween a water gate panel actuator and a substantially verticalfoundation surface (see FIGS. 132 and 133); and an upper, excessive gaterotation prevention element-to-gate panel attachment element 7011responsive to said tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panelrotation prevention element 7010. The apparatus may comprise awedge-shaped, gate panel actuator-to-foundation clamp retention elementsubstitute insert 105 positioned substantially between a wedge-shapedgate panel actuator-to-foundation clamp retention element 9572 and asubstantially vertical foundation surface 9571. Of course this and othersubstitute inserts are intended to take the place of the length ofinflatable water gate panel actuator-to-foundation attachment element(s)that do not exist because of the shortening of the inflatable bladdersthat may take place in order to accommodate out-of-sight placement ofthe excessive gate panel rotation prevention element substantially belowthe gap between adjacent water gate panels. This placement is preferableto those approaches that reduce the cross-sectional size of theinflatable bladders to insufficient levels so that the length of theexcessive gate panel rotation prevention elements (such as restrainingstraps, e.g.) positioned downstream (or upstream in a system whoseactuator is on an impounded flow side) of the inflatable bladder neednot exceed that length that results in protrusion of the straps, e.g.,in a lowered configuration.

A related method for improving the appearance of a lowered configurationwater control gate system comprises the steps of dimensioning (meaningshaping as by some manufacturing process, e.g.) a tensionable, excessivebottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention element 7020;establishing a lower, excessive gate rotation preventionelement-to-foundation attachment element 7012 to which said tensionable,excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention element7020 is responsive and that is fixedly established between proximateends of proximate, vertically projecting flow control elements; andestablishing an upper, excessive gate rotation preventionelement-to-gate panel attachment element responsive to said tensionable,collapsable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotationprevention element 7020. The vertically projection flow control elementsmay be any flow control elements that project vertically, such as watergate panel actuators (such as inflatable water gate panel actuatorbladders, or floatable water gate panel actuators), or foundation slidesurfaces such as abutment surfaces. In one embodiment, the method mayfurther comprise the step of establishing a wedge-shaped, gate panelactuator-to-foundation clamp retention element substitute insertsubstantially below a wedge-shaped interpanel seal-to-foundation clampretention element and between impounded flow proximate (meaning upstreamin a configuration where the actuator is on the downstream side of thegate panel; and downstream in a configuration where the actuator is onthe upstream side of the gate panel) opposing ends (oppositely facing)of proximate, vertically projecting flow control elements. The methodmay further comprise the step of correlating the length of thetensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotationprevention element 7020 with a location of each of the lower, excessivegate rotation prevention element-to-foundation attachment element 7012and the upper, excessive gate rotation prevention element-to-gate panelattachment element 7011 so that a downstream-most end of a detensioned,non-restraint configuration (e.g., collapsed and/or folded),tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotationprevention element is located under a lowered water control gate panel914.

Referring to FIGS. 116, 117, 118, and 119, a bottom hinged air actuatedgate in accordance with the present invention is shown. Restrainingstraps, e.g. 103 may be located at the ends of air bladders 334 so thatthe air bladder size may be maximized or optimized. Generally, for gatesover 2.5 meters high, the air bladder should be made as large aspossible without extending beyond drip line 106. This results in aconventional restraining strap 104 which protrudes from beneath loweredgate panel 914. Protruding restraining straps may be deemed undesirableby some customers or owners. Gate panel 914 is preferably convexlycurved to provide sufficient bending strength to accept the restrainingstrap loads at it ends. Air bladders 334 may be shortened enough toallow clearance for restraining straps 103 in both the raised andlowered positions. Insert 105, which may be made from reinforced rubberfor example, may be used to fill the clamping system between airbladders 334 which do not directly adjoin due to the extra clearance Cthat may be provided for restraining straps 103.

Referring now to FIG. 79, the details of the preferred hinge means areshown. Movable gussets 806 are welded to movable hinge tube 801 a. Fixedgussets 804 are welded to actuator guide tube 804 a and to fixed hingetube 801 c. Hinge tubes 801 a and 801 c are held in proper relationshipby wire rope 801 b, which may follow a spiral FIG. 8 around hinge tubes801 a and 801 c. The wire rope 801 b is prevented from slipping byembedment in concrete between gussets 806 and gussets 804. The zone ofrolling contact between wire rope 801 b and hinge tubes 801 a and 801 cis left clear of concrete or other fixing means. In the case of a wirerope fixed with concrete, should the need arise to repair the hinge, theconcrete between gussets may be selectively removed with a high pressurewater jet.

Referring now to FIG. 80, a plan view of the arrangement depicted inFIG. 79 is shown.

Referring now to FIGS. 50 through 55, three different hinges aredepicted—an “S” hinge, an integrated figure eight hinge, and a modularfigure eight hinge—each of which is within the ambit of the inventivesubject matter. The hinge depicted in FIGS. 110 and 111 may be termed a“W” hinge. The hinges themselves, in a general context that includesmany applications in addition to water control, are inventive and eachconsidered patentable.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts ofthe present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involvesboth water control and actuator techniques as well as devices toaccomplish the appropriate water control or actuation. In thisapplication, the water control techniques are disclosed as part of theresults shown to be achieved by the various devices described and assteps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the naturalresult of utilizing the devices as intended and described. In addition,while some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these notonly accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number ofways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facetsshould be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.

The discussion included in this application is intended to serve as abasic description. The reader should be aware that the specificdiscussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; manyalternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the genericnature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature orelement can actually be representative of a broader function or of agreat variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these areimplicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention is describedin device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitlyperforms a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for thedevice described, but also method or process claims may be included toaddress the functions the invention and each element performs. Neitherthe description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope ofthe claims included in this patent application.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be madewithout departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes arealso implicitly included in the description. They still fall within thescope of this invention. A broad disclosure encompassing both theexplicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternativeembodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like areencompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon for the claims forthis patent application. It should be understood that such languagechanges and broad claiming is accomplished in this filing. This patentapplication will seek examination of as broad a base of claims as deemedwithin the applicant's right and will be designed to yield a patentcovering numerous aspects of the invention both independently and as anoverall system.

Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims mayalso be achieved in a variety of manners. This disclosure should beunderstood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of anembodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment,or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly, itshould be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of theinvention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalentapparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function or result isthe same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should beconsidered to be encompassed in the description of each element oraction. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit theimplicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As butone example, it should be understood that all actions may be expressedas a means for taking that action or as an element which causes thataction. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understoodto encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical elementfacilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, thedisclosure of a “means for actuating” or an “actuator” should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of the act of “actuating”—whetherexplicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectivelydisclosure of the act of “actuating”, such a disclosure should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of an “actuator” and even a “meansfor actuating”. Such changes and alternative terms are to be understoodto be explicitly included in the description.

Any acts of law, statutes, regulations, or rules mentioned in thisapplication for patent; or patents, publications, or other referencesmentioned in this application for patent are hereby incorporated byreference. In addition, as to each term used it should be understoodthat unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent withsuch interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understoodas incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms,and synonyms such as contained in the Random House Webster's UnabridgedDictionary, second edition are hereby incorporated by reference.Finally, all references listed in the list of References To BeIncorporated By Reference In Accordance With The Patent Application orother information disclosure statement or citation filed with theapplication are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference,however, as to each of the above, to the extent that such information orstatements incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistentwith the patenting of this/these invention(s) such statements areexpressly not to be considered as made by the applicant(s).

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at least: i) eachof the water control actuator devices as herein disclosed and described,ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar,equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices andmethods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of thefunctions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternativedesigns and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as areimplicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) eachfeature, component, and step shown as separate and independentinventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems orcomponents disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by suchsystems or components, and ix) methods and apparatuses substantially asdescribed hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanyingexamples, x) the various combinations and permutations of each of theelements disclosed, and xi) each potentially dependent claim or conceptas a dependency on each and every one of the independent claims orconcepts presented. In this regard it should be understood that forpractical reasons and so as to avoid adding potentially hundreds ofclaims, the applicant may eventually present claims with initialdependencies only. Support should be understood to exist to the degreerequired under new matter laws—including but not limited to EuropeanPatent Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent Law 35 USC 132or other such laws—to permit the addition of any of the variousdependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim orconcept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim orconcept. Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase“comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, accordingto traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requiresotherwise, it should be understood that the term “comprise” orvariations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to implythe inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or stepsbut not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elementsor steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive formso as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved impounded water control apparatuscomprising: a first water gate panel; a first water gate panel actuatorestablished substantially under said first water gate panel and having aleft and right side; first and second tensionable, excessivebottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention elements, said firstrotation prevention element established substantially at said left sideof said actuator and said second rotation prevention element establishedsubstantially at said right side of said actuator; a left, lower,excessive gate rotation prevention element-to-foundation attachmentelement to which said first tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged watergate panel rotation prevention element is attached, said left, lower,excessive gate rotation prevention element-to-foundation attachmentelement fixedly established between lower portions of said left side ofsaid first water gate panel actuator and a right side of a water controlsystem component immediately to the left of said first water gate panelactuator; a right, lower, excessive gate rotation preventionelement-to-foundation attachment element to which said secondtensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotationprevention element is attached, said right, lower, excessive gaterotation prevention element-to-foundation attachment element fixedlyestablished between lower portions of said right side of said firstwater gate panel actuator and a left side of a water control systemcomponent immediately to the right of said first water gate panelactuator; a left, upper, excessive gate rotation preventionelement-to-gate panel attachment element to which said firsttensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotationprevention element is attached; a right, upper, excessive gate rotationprevention element-to-gate panel attachment element to which said secondtensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotationprevention element is attached; wherein said first water gate panelactuator has a horizontal width that allows said first tensionableexcessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention element topass between said left side of said first water gate panel actuator andsaid right side of said water control system component immediately tothe left of said first water gate panel actuator, and that allows saidsecond tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotationprevention element to pass between said right side of said first watergate panel actuator and said left side of said water control systemcomponent immediately to the right of said first water gate panelactuator.
 2. An improved impounded water control apparatus as describedin claim 1 wherein said first water gate panel actuator is an inflatablebladder.
 3. An improved impounded water control apparatus as describedin claim 1 wherein said water control system component immediately tothe left of said first water gate panel actuator is a second water gatepanel actuator.
 4. An improved impounded water control apparatus asdescribed in claim 1 wherein said water control system componentimmediately to the left of said first water gate panel actuator is afoundation abutment.
 5. An improved impounded water control apparatus asdescribed in claim 1 wherein said water control system componentimmediately to the right of said first water gate panel actuator is athird water gate panel actuator.
 6. An improved impounded water controlapparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said water control systemcomponent immediately to the right of said first water gate panelactuator is a foundation abutment.
 7. An improved impounded watercontrol apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said first water gatepanel has a first panel width and said first water gate panel actuatorhas a first panel actuator width, said first panel actuator width lessthan said first panel width.
 8. An improved impounded water controlapparatus as described in claim 1 wherein a downstream-most edge of saidfirst water gate panel actuator is located substantially at a dripplane.
 9. An improved impounded water control apparatus as described inclaim 1 wherein said first and second tensionable, excessivebottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention elements arecollapsible straps.
 10. An improved impounded water control apparatus asdescribed in claim 1 further comprising a water gateactuator-to-foundation attachment element that attaches said water gatepanel actuator to said foundation.
 11. An improved impounded watercontrol apparatus as described in claim 10 further comprising substitutewater gate actuator-to-foundation attachment element inserts, each on adifferent side of said water gate actuator-to-foundation attachmentelement and each directly upstream of a different one of said first andsecond tensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotationprevention elements.
 12. An improved impounded water control apparatusas described in claim 11 wherein said substitute water gateactuator-to-foundation attachment element inserts each mimick a profileof said water gate actuator-to-foundation attachment element.
 13. Animproved impounded water control apparatus as described in claim 1wherein, for each said first and second tensionable, excessivebottom-hinged water gate panel rotation prevention elements, locationsof said lower, excessive gate rotation prevention element-to-foundationattachment element, said upper, excessive gate rotation preventionelement-to-gate panel attachment element, and a length of saidtensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotationprevention elements are correlated so that a downstream-most end of saidtensionable, excessive bottom-hinged water gate panel rotationprevention element is located substantially under said water controlgate panel when said water control gate panel is in a loweredconfiguration.